Hero Cycles unveil team for MTB Himalaya

Hero Cycles Wednesday unveiled their cycling team here which will take part in the 10th edition of the MTB Himalaya.

'UT Action Team' and will take part in the one of the toughest bicycle races in the sub-continent, which will also be sponsored by Hero Cycles.

"Hero Cycles identified budding cyclists for this team. These cyclists will be trained to participate in major international and national events," Hero Cycles co-chairman Pankaj Munjal said here.

The 500 km race, organised by the Himachal Adventure Sport and Tourism Promotion Association (HASTPA), will be held from Sep 27 to Oct 3 and will cross 100 villages through the Himalayas.

The race will start and finish at Shimla with cyclists coming in from 12 countries -- India, Nepal, Holland, Bangladesh, Austria, Germany, Portugal, Canada, Belgium, Poland, United Kingdom and Columbia.

The high profile entries for the 10th edition of the race include Portuguese rider Sonia Lopez, who has also been roped in as the female ambassador of the event while current Canadian champion Cory Wallace, who has won titles all over the world, will also take part and has been made the male ambassador of the event.

The total vertical climb of the race will be close to 12,500 metres, making it one of the highest in the world. The race covers forest tracks, rocky paths, apple orchards, pine and cedar forests to ultimately reach its highest point -- the Jalori pass -- situated at a height of 3,050m above sea level.