Veteran cyclist Ashok Khale passes away

MUMBAI: Veteran cyclist Ashok Khale, who was recently injured in an accident on the Sion-Panvel highway, died on Saturday in a hospital during treatment, his family members said.
He was 64.
Khale, a resident of Dadar in Central Mumbai met with an accident near Mankhurd last Sunday when he was on cycling to Khopoli.
The cyclist, who was injured in the suspected hit-and-run case and was battling for life in the Bombay Hospital, breathed his last on Saturday night, his family members said.
Khale, won several medals for cycle-riding in state and national-level championships, his friend said.
He used to participate in the Giro d'Italia, an annual multiple-stage bicycle race primarily held in Italy and covered several countries in 5-6 days, he said.
He had represented India in Giro d'Italia event too and was also called as the King of the Ghats.
Khale had broken his collar bone during the selection trials for 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi, the friend added.
He was also the recipient of the Shiv Chhatrapati award.
Khale's family and friends have demanded a thorough probe so as to ascertain how the accident took place.