MTB Himalayas: Asia's oldest mountain biking race set for longer route

Shimla: Asia’s oldest cross-country mountain biking race, MTB Himalayas, is all set to get underway on Saturday, bikers from all around the world gear up to cycle their way from Shimla to Dharamshala.

Started in 2004, this is one of the toughest races in the continent, and has so far been a 487km affair, from Shimla to Manali.

However, the 2016 edition of the MTB Himalayas is set to up the ante, as it will take a new route, which takes the rides from the capital of Himachal Pradesh, to Dhrarmshala, a distance of 650km.

The race, which lasts for nine days, is divided into the men’s and the women’s categories, with the winner of the events set to be crowned as the ‘King of Himalaya’ and the ‘Queen of Himalaya’, respectively.

While 38 Indians are set to take part in the event, MTB Himalayas will also host 32 international participants, from 10 different countries.

Andi Seewald from Germany is one of the favourites for the race, after having finished second in last year’s event.

The duo of Andreas Hartmann and Manuel Welssenbacher, who represent the Rocky Mountain Factory Team are also strong contenders fro the title. While the team could not participate in last year’s event due to an accident on the first day, they have come back to India this year, to give it another go.

Catherine Williamson is one of the favourites to win the ‘Queen of Himalayas’ title, after she clinched the top spot in the Cape Epic. Meanwhile the local crowd is likely to root for Devender Thakur, who has been competing in the race for the past three years.