Army man PB Pradhan wins mountain biking race

Tribune News Service

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Mussoorie, May 13

Army man PB Pradhan won the six-stage mountain biking race that concluded here today.

The event had began in Nainital on May 7 and concluded in Mussoorie.

The last leg of the event from Chinyali Saud to Mussoorie was won by Devendar from Himachal Pradesh.

The second position was jointly bagged by Ramesh Joshi from Uttarakhand and K. Venkateshwar Reddy, an Army man. The participants covered 70 km from Chinyali Saud to Mussoorie in three hours.

Elated at his win, Devendar said panoramic views en route kept him motivating to continue till the end.

Earlier, Sandeep Sahni, a member of the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, flagged off the race from Brentwood Hotel. District Information Officer YS Gangwar said they had succeeded in spreading the message that the state was safe for adventure tourism.

Onkar Singh, secretary general, Cycling Federation of India, said there was a great potential for mountain biking and cycling in the state.

Director, Tourism Infrastructure Department, RK Joshi said the event was funded by the Marketing and Promotion Department, ADB and the Tourism Department. He said the event would be organised annually.

Meanwhile, the local police managed traffic during the course of the event.

This race is claimed to be the longest MTB race in Asia and comprised a prize money of Rs 15 to 20 lakh depending upon the participation.

This event was held in six stages. As many as 71 participants from various parts of the country participated in the event.