Over 80 daring cyclists of national and international repute set out to paddle their way past treacherous hilly tracks after the 9th edition of MTB Himalaya 2013 flagged off here today.
Riding true to his reputation, Portugal biker Luis Leao Pints blazed past the first stage of 40 Kms in 1 hour and 34 minutes while the next two riders to complete the stage were from Indian Army.
Apart from Eduardo Pereira and Luis Canto Moniz, no other rider had even finished the first stage.
The flagged off ceremony was delayed by about an hour due to a severe thunderstorm, accompanied by heavy rains lashed the town in the morning.
Claimed as third toughest mountain biking event in the world after the Trans-Alps Challenge (Europe) and Trans-Rockies (Canada), the Discovery Montra MTB 2013 would have two top international bikers participating for the first time.
In all, 84 bikers, including 16 foreigners and eight women are participating in the event and it is for the first time that internationally ranked bikers are taking part in an event in the country, Ricardo is a three-time champion of Portugal.
The defence force have entered largest contingent of 21 bikers including five teams of two members, five solo riders and six bikers from Indian Air Force, including Shishir Man Karki and Naresh Deb Burman, reigning champions in team (two riders) event.
