Indian cycling star Esow Alban took to social media today to share a chilling incident from his training session: “Hit from behind today while training. Bikers at 100+ km/h. No regret. Just blame. I ride for India. We cyclists deserve safety and respect.”
A rising icon in Indian sport, Esow was hit from behind by a speeding motorcycle during his regular road training.
🚀 Download India’s first All-In-One, Multi-sports Global APP, that brings 20+ sports right at your fingertips! 🏃♂️
Download Link 🔗 https://urlgeni.us/IndiaSportsHub
He had been running late and was about five minutes behind the main group, which was being followed by a support car assigned to ensure athlete safety.
While he thankfully escaped serious injury, the implications of the incident run far deeper.
An Unacceptable Reality
Indian cyclists—elite athletes representing the nation on the global stage—often train on open roads due to the lack of dedicated cycling infrastructure.
While cities remain indifferent and traffic law enforcement is inconsistent, cyclists remain vulnerable and unprotected, often at the mercy of reckless drivers.
This is wrong. No athlete should have to worry about their safety while preparing to represent the country. In Esow’s case, his coaches arrived quickly after being informed, and the police took him to the hospital and did the needful.
Thankfully, he escaped serious injury, but his bicycle’s wheel was completely broken—a sad reminder of the impact such incidents have, even when lives are spared.
Esow’s message is not just a cry for help – it’s a wake-up call.
Who is Esow Alban? A Cyclist Who Made India Believe
From the remote Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the fastest velodromes in the world, Esow Alban has carried Indian hopes like few others in the sport. A trailblazer in every sense, his journey is one of grit, breakthrough performances, and consistent excellence.
Milestones in Esow’s Career:
• First Indian to win a medal at the Junior Track World Championships, finishing second in Keirin in Aigle, Switzerland.
• World No. 1 in the Junior Sprint rankings – a first for India.
• Gold medallist at the Junior Asian Track Cycling Championships.
• Semifinalist at the UCI World Championships and Finalist at the Asian Elite Keirin – proving his worth against the best in the world.
• Represented India at the UCI Track Champions League, becoming the first Indian ever to compete in the event in 2023.
• Recently, along with David Beckham and Rojit Singh, set a new national record in the Men’s Team Sprint with a timing of 44.187s at the UCI Track Nations Cup in Turkey, bettering the previous best of 44.451s.
His performance helped the Indian team finish 11th overall, showing how rapidly Indian track cycling is catching up with global standards.
From Andaman’s Shores to the World Stage
Esow’s backstory adds even more depth to his journey. Hailing from the Teressa Island, part of the remote Nicobar chain, Esow’s father is a head constable with the fire service, and his mother works as a Class IV employee in the forest department.
Despite limited access and resources, Esow emerged as a prodigious talent in a niche sport.
His rise was a beacon of hope—not just for Indian cycling, but for every young athlete coming from underrepresented corners of the country.
So Why Must He Ride in Fear?
For an athlete of such calibre to be hit by a vehicle while training on public roads is not just unfortunate—it’s shameful.
• Why aren’t there designated safe zones for elite cyclists to train?
• Why is road safety still not a priority for those representing India on the world stage?
• Why is “blame” the only response cyclists get when they are at the receiving end?
Cycling, especially track cycling, demands road training as part of an athlete’s conditioning. Without basic infrastructure like cycling lanes, safety vehicles, or time-guarded corridors, athletes are left to navigate unsafe roads filled with impatient motorists.
Esow’s statement must trigger urgent conversation. Not just among fans, but within national federations, local administrators, and law enforcement agencies.
India has shown that it can produce world-class cyclists. Now it must also show that it can protect them.
We cheer when the flag is raised on the podium. But that podium has a price. Let’s not make safety one of them.
#RespectCyclists #IRideForIndia #EsowAlban #CyclingSafety #IndianCycling
