MTB Himachal

MTB Himalaya
11th Hero MTB Himalaya 2015
Race details
Date 26 September - 04 October 2015
Region Himachal Pradesh, India
Discipline Mountain Biking
Type Cross Country
Organiser HASTPA[1]
History
First edition 2005
Editions 10
Most recent Cory WallaceLuis Leao Pinto,Ajay Pandit, Nirjala Tamrakar

The MTB Himalaya is an annual mountain bike race held in the mountainous state of Himachal Pradesh, India. Started in 2005, the race covers nearly 500 km (310 mi) in a span of 8 days. The race is sponsored by Hero Cycles India.

Venues

Started in 2005, the first 5 races took the route from Shimla To Manali.[2] But, from 2010, the route has been altered and it follows a loop, where the race begins from Shimla and ends at Shimla. It passes through Shimla, Kullu and Mandi districts.[3]

Categories of Competition

The race has had the following categories for cyclists [4]

From the year 2011, a trail running category has also been introduced simultaneously with the biking.[5]

Sponsors

For 9 years now, the event has been sponsored by Hercules Cycles. In the recent events Discovery channel and The Times of India officially partnered the MTB Himalaya.

The International Mountain Bicycling Association has been a race partner with MTB Himalaya from the beginning.

Participation

The MTB Himalaya has seen about 1200 people take part totally in the 10 years of existence. They have seen participants come from US, Austria, Germany, Nepal, Bhutan and India.[6] In 2011, 104 riders started, and only 42 finished.[7]

References