Lakhan Hansda with his imported cycle during his visit to Jamshedpur on Tuesday. Picture by Animesh Sengupta

An imported racing cycle blazes a trail on the dusty Narwapahar-Potka road, on the outskirts of Jamshedpur, every morning.

Early risers know why. For, they see Jharkhand’s medal hopeful Lakhan Hansda pedalling 60km to keep himself in fine fettle in the run-up to the 66th Senior National Track Cycling Championship scheduled in Hissar (Haryana) from October 5 to 9.

Gear blues is now a thing of the past for the 25-year-old Damodih youth. Lakhan boasts two racing cycles. Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) presented him an imported one earlier this year, while the youth repaired his old pair of wheels with the money he received from Confederation of Indian Industry (Jharkhand).

“I have made my old cycle fit for competitions. I spent a part of the Rs 50,000 given by CII (Jharkhand) for the purchase of spares — tyres, chain and sprocket and a pair of pedals. I also bought a roller for practising indoors,” Lakhan said.

A biker had hit the youth’s cycle while he was practising on a 16km road maintained by UCIL on December 4 last year. The rear wheel was completely damaged in the crash though Lakhan survived hip injuries without hospitalisation.

The accident scuttled his chances of entering the 65th Senior National Track Cycling Championship, which was held in New Delhi from December 24 to 28.

Lakhan also had nowhere to practise except for the Narwapahar-Jaduguda stretch, one of the rare smooth roads in the hinterland, because the state doesn’t allow cyclists to use the velodrome in Ranchi.

But now, armed with two new cycles, Lakhan is raring to go. For company, he has teammates Samu Hansda, Lakhiram Hansda and Narender Hansda. The four practise for five hours from 4am. Evenings are reserved for light fitness regime on the football grounds near their village in Potka block of East Singhbhum.

“My practice is on the right track. I am satisfied with the progress and am confident of bagging a medal in the nationals,” Lakhan said.

A friend in need that he is, he has offered his old racing cycle to Narender who has none. “I use the one given by UCIL. The bike is light and it took me some time to adjust, but now am good to go,” Lakhan added.

Jharkhand Cycling Association secretary Satbir Singh Sahota said he was happy with the progress the pedal star was making. “He is our best bet at the national meet.”

Will Hansda bag a medal this time? Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com