Luis Leas Pinto leads MTB Himalaya 2013

Portugal biker Luis Leas Pinto maintained his lead in the 9th MTB Himalaya 2013 even as India's D B Pradhan and B Devri were fighting hard to give the world number nine a run for his money.
At the end of Day 3, the Portugese rider was followed by Indian Army's Pradhan and Devri yesterday.
In the team event, Army's team of Naresh and Shishir were leading their pack while Laxmi Magar of Nepal was ahead in the women's catgory.
The fourth day of the premier international mountain bicycling challenge started from Dhomri Camp near Narkanda today with 60 riders braving morning drizzle to complete the 50-km challenge.

The trail took them bypassing the town of Kumarsain through the rocky slopes of downhill tracks till the tiny village of Faral where the riders found lose gravel and slippery uphill stretch of about 4km.
Shalota to Pauchi on way to meet the highway at Patti Jubbar uphill turned out to be the challenge of the tour for the riders, as many was seen carrying their bikes on foot.

The loose gravel and rocky stretch through the village of Pauchi seemed to have taken the sap out of Pinto, as the race leader had to take some rest. This was the first time since the rally was flagged off on Saturday that Pinto had to stop midway as he is known to finish off the day without a break. But Tuesday was different.

The trail from Pauchi till Patti Jubbar offered a gigantic challenge to most of the riders. The small contingent of Indian Air Force was also racing quite fast but was far behind their Army counterparts. Not an individual but the tough terrain became the focus of the fourth day of the event.
Tomorrow, the riders would start their challenge to triumph Hatu Peak, if weather permits.