Punjab: From novice to champion, Anav aspires to compete in the Tour de France

Punjab: Rising road cycling star Anav Puri cycles an impressive 100-120 km every day. He has won several gold medals including the Punjab State Open Games under-18 category, Punjab School Games and was a top contender at the nationals in Ranchi this January. Currently ranked among the top 10 road cyclists in India, Anav is also a registered athlete under the Khelo India programme, having recently represented Punjab at Mahabalipuram. Reflecting on his journey, Anav credits the pandemic for sparking his interest in cycling. “Like many others, I bought a cycle during the Covid period to stay active and deal with boredom. Initially, it was just a casual hobby, but as I started riding in groups, I started enjoying it. I didn’t know much about competitive road cycling until my friends introduced me to it. Then I bought an advanced cycle and participated in my first competition in Kurukshetra. Despite being a beginner, I finished ninth, which encouraged me to keep going,” recalls Anav.

Determined to improve, Anav attended the selection trials at Punjabi University, Patiala while he was still in Class X at Cambridge International School. A coach there encouraged him to continue his training and his performance steadily improved. “The following year, I participated in the Punjab State Games in Amritsar and that’s when things really picked up,” he says. Now, Anav’s training schedule is rigorous. “I wake up every day at 4 am and prepare my own porridge with dates, honey and dry fruits for the required carbohydrates and proteins. I pack snacks like bananas and dates, fill my water bottles with electrolytes and leave by 5:30 am. I cycle non-stop for 100-120 kms, taking brief 5-minute breaks if needed. My rides last for 3 to 3.5 hours daily. After that, I eat a full meal and rest,” he explains. His diet is equally disciplined: “I eat 6-7 eggs, rajma-rice, vegetables, bowls of fruits and milkshakes to maintain energy.” Anav is also training under a private coach from Haryana, who monitors his sessions remotely using advanced technology. “My coach tracks my progress through the Wahoo Element system, which collects data on my route, distance, heart rate, tyre rotations and brakes. I also completed a two-month high-altitude training session in Ladakh under his guidance,” he said. Anav competes in two categories: individual time trial (TT) and mass start (group) races. “I don’t participate in velodrome cycling; I focus on road cycling. In TT, cyclists start at 1-minute intervals and race for 40 km. The top two are selected for national representation. In mass start, 80-100 cyclists compete together, doing multiple laps, with the top four being selected,” he said. Now a BA student at Guru Nanak Dev University, Anav is gearing up for tougher challenges. “I have moved up to the Under-23 category, where the competition is tougher. But I am preparing for it. The next round of competitions starts in October and I am focusing on building endurance during this time,” he says, adding that his long-term goals include competing in the Asian Cycling Championships and eventually the prestigious 21-day Tour de France.