TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
DABOLIM: The members of Cycling Goa on Tuesday evening accorded a warm welcome to Dr. Belinda Mueller who has created history by achieving the feat of being the only Indian and Goan lady to have cycled the 1200 km in under 90 hours in the recently concluded event at Jaipur organised by team T3 of Delhi.
Mother of Dr. Muller Janet Viegas and brother Joseph Viegas were also present to welcome Dr. Mueller at the new Dabolim airport terminal. Viegas who is a teacher in St. Paul school at Belgaum drove down to Goa while talking to Herald stated that she is proud of her daughter for achieving the great feat.
Viegas stated that Dr. Mueller from very young age was very active in sports and was fond of cycling. She is very ambitious and determine in her cycling career. When sought to know how she felt about Dr. Mueller achieving the great feat to this Viegas stated that she initially discouraged Dr. Mueller in taking part in the cycling event and now as she has created history I am proud of her.
Dr. Mueller’s Brother Joseph who is also and adventurist said that he has also participated in tracking, cycling and recently been on tracking at Himalayas and Mount Everest Base is proud of her sisters achievement.
Richard Mueller husband of Dr. Mueller while talking to Herald stated that watching Dr. Muller cycle against all odds was like watching a thriller. Richard added Dr. Mueller had to cycle in the extreme climate of Rajasthan and had to cycle against the strong winds.
Richard further added that Dr. Mueller was the only lady among the 10 contestants who were men and added that while the other cyclists were using the road bikes while Dr. Mueller cycled all her way with a hybrid cycle which is much slower and heaver and uncomfortable then the road bike. Richard added that winning the event with such a bike is a big challenge and being a women in her 50’s is a great challenge.
Richard added that watching her cycle against all the odds was watching a thriller. Richard further added that there was time when she could not find the food and drink she wanted due to which Dr. Mueller had sugar problem.
Richard stated that Dr. Mueller made to all thet check posts well in time and left the other cyclist behind by 100 kms. Richard while praising Dr. Mueller stated that she is an inspiration to him and their family.
Richard who was also the one of the participant stated that his cycle gave way half the way due to which he had to discontinue with the cycling. Richard added that had the cycle not to break down he along with his wife would have finished the event together.
Dr. Mueller while talking to Herald attributed her achievement to her team members of cycling Goa and added that when her husband’s cycle broke down she was psychologically down and felt that she cannot carry on with the event. Dr. Mueller added that when she thought of the team members she felt that she cannot let them down and carried on with cycling.
Dr. Mueller added that most difficult time was when she reached the 1100 mark where the wind was strongly blowing against her which made cycling very difficult. Dr. Mueller added that as she did not get the food and drinks she wanted her sugar level started declining which made cycling very difficult. Dr. Mueller added that as there were many well-wishers behind her she felt that she cannot let them down and with great effort made to the final point.
Dr. Mueller added that finds very difficult to believe that she has emerged victorious as when she started she did not expected that she will complete the event in time and much ahead of the rest of the team.
