Goa, Feb. 1 -- Situated next to Chandor is the club of Guirdolim, which was founded in 1962. The club is widely known for its cycle racing competition which has been traditionally held on January 1 since 1972, even before Goa was recognized as a State. This race is the oldest cycling sport in the beautiful state of Goa and was the brainchild of late Sir Camilo D'Costa (Jhel Camil) of Guirdolim who was a physical education teacher at Dhempe College, Miramar.

The race has been ever since held regularly from the time it began in 1972 when the president of the club was Francisco Vaz. Patwin Fizardo, the current president of the club mentions two incidents when the race was not held. He says, "In 1986, during the Konkani Agitation and in 2021...