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Indian Express
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Esow Alben's accident scary, says cycling federation secretary
Cycling Federation of India (CFI) secretary Maninder Singh said road safety for professional cyclists was a concern in Delhi, calling the incident where a biker hit 24-year-old Asian Championship bronze medalist Esow Alben as 'scary'. In 2022, the Federation had shifted the camps for road cyclists to Patiala, Thiruvananthapuram and Guwahati because of safety concerns and lack of 'open' roads, Singh said. Esow is one of India's top track cyclists and trains at the velodrome at the IG Stadium in Delhi. On Wednesday, Esow was riding as part of his weekly road-training session when a bike struck him from behind. Because of bruises at the hip and cuts, he has been advised at least a week's rest by coaches and doctors. 'I was shaken but I am feeling better than yesterday,' Esow said. CFI secretary Singh said riders do take safety measures. 'It is scary to be honest. There are safety protocols for our riders but sometimes unfortunate incidents happen,' Singh said. 'The cyclists usually take routes depending on their requirement. For example, if it is a short ride, they just go around the IG stadium which is a peripheral road and generally empty. But if they have a longer session they take other roads depending on the weather and traffic,' Singh said. Talking about shifting the road cyclists from the capital, Singh said: 'Endurance cyclists need long open roads and in Delhi there is a scarcity of such roads. That is why we moved to places like Patiala, Thiruvananthapuram and Guwahati. Also the roads there are safer,' Singh said. After the accident, Esow took to social media platform Instagram to highlight what happened. The video showed an argument ensuing between the bikers and Esow. A damaged cycle and the injuries Esow suffered were also visible. 'I posted on Instagram to raise awareness about road safety. It is tough for us to get out on roads in Delhi during the day. We usually start at 5 am. During winters, we use reflectors and lights as safety measures,' Esow said. 'When we train in Europe, we can go out anytime, day or night. There it is safe to cycle on the roads but it is not in Delhi. I hope that this incident raises awareness about it,' Esow added. The cycles used by track cyclists are expensive, Esow's costs approximately Rs 6 lakhs. 'While the cycle was provided to me by the TOPS scheme, the wheel was my own. I spent Rs 70,000 on it,' Esow said. For now, Esow has been provided a replacement cycle by CFI. He has also filed an FIR at the Pandav Nagar Police station. 'With the help of my coaches, I have filed an FIR, ' the former junior world silver medalist said. The other riders, Ronaldo Singh, Rojit Singh, and Jemsh Singh were ahead of Esow during the road-training session when he was hit by the bikers. 'I was taking the flyover near Mayur Vihar, that's when the incident happened. The other riders were five minutes ahead of me while I was riding behind the safety car.'
The Hindu
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
FIR filed in cyclist Esow Alban road accident case
A first information report (FIR) has been filed in connection with the accident that involved India's top cyclist Esow Alban when he was training on Noida Expressway two days back, the national federation said on Friday. Esow escaped with 'minor' injuries after he was hit from behind by two bikers on Wednesday, but he said that it could have been worse. 'An FIR has been filed by the authorities in connection with the accident, and necessary legal action will be taken as per the law,' Cycling Federation of India (CFI) said. It said the accident occurred during a team training session and Esow 'was riding at the rear of the group when a motorbike struck him from behind.' The 24-year-old Esow from Andaman and Nicobar Islands trains at the residential SAI Cycling Academy, which houses a top-class velodrome inside the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex. The cycling facility has got recognition from the world body UCI. 'Today, I was hit from behind by two bikers during my training ride. They were speeding at over 100 km/h. I was in my lane. Focused. Disciplined. Yet they blamed me and showed no regret,' Esow wrote on his Instagram handle on Wednesday. READ: Indian Sports Wrap, May 16: Young star Zara Anand helps India to fifth-place finish at Queen Sirikit Cup in Japan 'I'm grateful to be safe, with only a few scratches.' His backside and hands had bruises, and the rear wheel of his cycle was broken from the impact. CFI Secretary General Maninder Pal Singh had told PTI that it was a 'minor' accident and Esow would be able to train soon. Esow is the first Indian cyclist to win an individual medal at the global level, a silver in keirin event at the 2018 junior track World Championships. He won a silver in sprint and a bronze in keirin in the 2019 edition also. 'This could've been worse -- not just for me, but for any cyclist on the road. To everyone out there: We cyclists are not in your way. We are humans. We are athletes. We represent our nation,' he had said. 'Respect cyclists. Give us space. Give us safety.' On Friday, the CFI said the local police immediately transported Esow to a local hospital and he was discharged after 'medical evaluation and minor treatment'. 'No serious injuries were detected. Esow sustained minor abrasions on his body. He is expected to resume training shortly,' it said. 'The impact caused damage to his bicycle, including a broken ZIPP carbon wheel and scratches on the LOOK 795 frame. Fortunately, the frame damage is repairable, which will be repaired.' Related Topics Esow Alben / SAI
Indian Express
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Four-time Junior World Championship medallist Esow Alben hit by bikers during training ride
Esow Alben, the first Indian to win a medal at a cycling World Championship at any level, said that he was hit from behind by two bikers on Wednesday while he was on his training ride. Esow, 24, was training on the road near the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex and said in a lengthy Instagram post that he was in his lane and 'disciplined' while the bikers were 'speeding at over 100kmph'. Esow described the incident in a lengthy post on his Instagram along side a video in which he can be heard getting into an argument with what seems to be the two bikers. While the latter can be heard blaming him for riding in the 'middle of the road', onlookers can be heard siding with Esow. He also included images of his visibly damaged cycle. His buttock and hands had bruises and the rear wheel of his cycle was broken from the impact. 'I'm grateful to be safe, with only a few scratches. Thank you to my coach, team coach, and the officer who stood by me and are helping with the investigation,' Esow said in his caption to the video he posted. 'This could've been worse—not just for me, but for any cyclist on the road. To everyone out there: We cyclists are not in your way. We are humans. We are athletes. We represent our nation. Respect cyclists. Give us space. Give us safety.' The 24-year-old Esow from Andaman and Nicobar Islands resides and trains at the SAI Cycling Academy, which houses a top-class velodrome. The facility at the IG Sports Complex has got recognition from the world body UCI. Esow is the first Indian cyclist to win an individual medal at a global level, a silver in keirin event at the 2018 junior track world championships. He won a silver in sprint and a bronze in keirin in the 2019 edition also. Cycling Federation of India Secretary General Maninder Pal Singh said it was a 'minor' accident and Esow 'is fine now'. 'He (Esow) has been given first aid and he is fine now. It was a minor accident and he is at his room. He should be able to train again tomorrow,' Singh told PTI. 'He was on a routine training ride on the road (near IG Sports Complex). He was behind a bus and then hit by a bike.'
News18
14-05-2025
- Sport
- News18
Top Indian Cyclist Esow Alban Hit By Two Bikers During On-Road Training Ride
Last Updated: Esow is the first Indian cyclist to win an individual medal at the global level, a silver in keirin event at the 2018 junior track world championships. Top Indian cyclist Esow Alban was on Wednesday hit from behind by two bikers while he was on a training ride on the road near the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex here but fortunately escaped with 'minor" injuries. The 24-year-old Esow from Andaman and Nicobar Islands resides and trains at the SAI Cycling Academy, which houses a top-class velodrome. The facility at the IG Sports Complex has got recognition from the world body UCI. 'Today, I was hit from behind by two bikers during my training ride. They were speeding at over 100 km/h. I was in my lane. Focused. Disciplined. Yet they blamed me and showed no regret," Esow wrote on his Instagram handle. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Esow Alban (@esowalbanofficial) 'I'm grateful to be safe, with only a few scratches." His buttock and hands had bruises and the rear wheel of his cycle was broken from the impact. Esow is the first Indian cyclist to win an individual medal at the global level, a silver in keirin event at the 2018 junior track world championships. He won a silver in sprint and a bronze in keirin in the 2019 edition also. 'This could've been worse — not just for me, but for any cyclist on the road. To everyone out there: We cyclists are not in your way. We are humans. We are athletes. We represent our nation," he said. 'Respect cyclists. Give us space. Give us safety. 'Thank you to my coach, team coach, and the officer who stood by me and are helping with the investigation." Cycling Federation of India Secretary General Maninder Pal Singh said it was a 'minor" accident and Esow 'is fine now". 'He (Esow) has been given first aid and he is fine now. It was a minor accident and he is at his room. He should be able to train again tomorrow," Singh told PTI. 'He was on a routine training ride on the road (near IG Sports Complex). He was behind a bus and then hit by a bike."
