Foreign cyclists dominate MTB Himalaya

Foreign cyclists led in the top five positions of the six-day Hero MTB Himalaya that concluded here Friday after covering over 500 km.

Canada's Cory Wallace, a three-time Mongolia Bike Challenge champion, and Sonia Lopes of Portugal won the race in the men's and women's solo categories, respectively, rally organisers Himalayan Adventure Sports and Tourism Promotion Association (HASTPA) president Mohit Sood told IANS.

Wallace was followed by Manuel Wessenbcher from Austria and Andreas Heartman of Germany.

In the women's category, Indian rider Monica was second.

Participating in the MTB Himalaya for the first time the 30-year-old Wallace, ranked 18th in the world, was leading the race from Day 1. Likewise, Sonia, the first woman cyclist to conquer the non-stop 500 km Portugal Bike Race, too led from the start.

Sixty-nine foreign and Indian intrepid riders, comprising five women and 11 master riders, started their journey to capture the lofty mountains of Himachal Pradesh from here Sep 27.

In the masters' solo category Canadian John Funk was first followed by Mike Mclean and Gerry Mccuiag.

In the team of two, Nepalese Aymann Tamang and Budhibahadhur Tamang were first. Teams of Indian Army comprising Naresh Barman and Purna Bahadur were second and Manjit and Shishir Man Karki were second and third, respectively.

Sood said the route for the 10th edition of the race was the most difficult. "On an average, a cyclist pedalled 80-90 km every day with one day of rest and had to ascend 2,000-2,500 metres each day."

The highest and toughest point of the rally was the Jalori Pass (3,223m) in Kullu district.