Day 2: Haputale

‘Lipton Loop’ – You’d struggle to find a more apt name for the second day’s stage 2. Both the start and finish were located in the mountain-encircled Haputale, flanked by rainforests and tea plantations. The circular route led riders through one of Asia’s most picturesque areas, beginning with a 500 metre climb to reach the popular viewpoint named after the tea pioneer Sir Thomas Lipton. The view was superb, but this was a race and no casual coffee ride. What followed was a 16 km descent with 1,200 metres of altitude loss over some pretty rocky terrain, then two further, longer climbs back up to Haputale. Total: 63 km, 2,160 metres of climbing.

The landscape around Haputale is one of Asia’s most beautiful.
The landscape around Haputale is one of Asia’s most beautiful.
The route weaved its way through tea plantations, skirting up to the Sir Thomas Lipton viewpoint.
The route weaved its way through tea plantations, skirting up to the Sir Thomas Lipton viewpoint.
Having placed second on the first day, Peter Butt had three punctures on stage 2.
Having placed second on the first day, Peter Butt had three punctures on stage 2.

With the quickest time and just seven minutes behind last year’s winner, Ajay Pandit Chhetri stopped the clock at 3 h 21 min with an advantage of 10 minutes. The final rider rolled home in 8 h 19 min.

Page 3 of 6 Prev Next
Table of Contents
  1. Rumble in the Jungle in Sri Lanka
  2. Day 1: Kuda Oya – Haputale
  3. Day 2: Haputale
  4. Day 3: Kalupahana – Nuwara Eliya
  5. Day 4: Ramboda – Kandy
  6. Bike Check Special

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About the author

Manne Schmitt

As the proud father of Robin and Max-Philip, Manne has been there from the start and is the wise elder of the editorial team. He won his first cycling race in elementary school at a school sports day. After less successful attempts at football, he found his passion for cycling via endurance racing in 1989! The world of racing still consumes him and no one in the team knows the EWS pros better than Manne. As a former head analyst of a state agency, he knows how to do proper research and finds exclusive news that no one else has. He supports his sons in day-to-day business dealings as the authorised signatory for 41 Publishing – viva la familia!

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