The 152-km race, with the arduous Bhor ghat section between Khopoli and Khandala, will pose a great challenge to the cyclists. This year 109 cyclists will battle it out for top honours including reigning champion Sanjay Maral.

Eighteen cyclists from Pune would be pitted against the outstation challenge, which includes 55 cyclists from Mumbai. However, the competition has diluted a bit with the absence of Trilochan Singh, Kripal Singh and the Railway's team.

A total prize money of Rs 58,000 is at stake, which includes incentive awards for various primes (Panvel Prime; Khopoli Prime) apart from the King of Ghat title adjudged after crossing Bhor Ghat.

While the record timing stands at 4hrs 13min 14sec, a Rs 10000 cash prize awaits the cyclist who breaks the 4hr 10 min barrier. The race will be flagged off from Mumbai in front of the Mayor's Bungalow at 7.00 a.m. from where it would proceed in the neutral zone till the Highway junction (Chunabhatti-Sion). Thereafter, the race becomes active to proceed via Chembur, R K Studios, Anushakti Nagar, and turn left on to the Vashi Creek bridge, go past Vashi, Panvel, ascend the Bhor Ghat to reach Lonavala and finish in front of Sambhaji Park on Jangli Maharaj road.

As part of their launching campaign, the House of Balsaras this year have named the event as the Mumbai-Pune Meswak cycle race.