90 cyclists register for MTB Himalaya

Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 10

As many as 90 riders from 15 countries, including India, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, USA, Germany, UK and Nepal, will participate in the 15th edition of Hero MTB Himalaya which will be flagged off from Shimla on September 26.

This seven-day extravaganza covering 500 km will take the riders through the most remote areas in the Himalayas, where they will experience extreme adventure. One of the stages will include camping in Paneo at an old British rest house frequented by Viceroys. There will also be a new camp site in Jhatingiri.

The race route terrain is mostly single tracks. There are a few stretches of motor-able jeep tracks, rocky tracks, loose gravel and segments of broken tarmac. There will be an equal amount of uphill and downhill segments in the race. Another feature is a never-seen-before stretch from Shatadhar to Pandoah. The race has a new finish point in Bir Billing.

Among others, former King of Himalayas Adria Nougera (winner 2017), Cory Wallace (winner 2014) and Catherine Williamson will participate to defend their titles. Besides, many ace riders like Jason English (Australia), Bart Classens (Netherlands), Antonio Ortiz (Spain) will also compete. The annual cross country multi-stage mountain biking race is organized by Himalayan Adventure Sports and Tourism Promotion Association (HASTPA), Himachal Tourism and Hero Cycles.

500 km in 7 days 

• Hero MTB Himalaya marks 15 years of organising MTB events in India
• Race to begin from Shimla and finish in Bir Billing, covering 500kms in 7 days
• Top World Champions from UK, Belgium, Canada, Australia part of rider lineup this year