YAK ATTACK - SHOWDOWN in the ANNAPURNA\'S
Riders First into Manang
Phil Evans (Extreme World Challenges) / 12.03.2008
Day 4 Chame to Manang - 28km/3540mIt had to happen sometime and today was the day. Young Kathmandu rider Ajay Pandit, riding for Creative Mapping, stormed to an emphatic victory and secured a first stage win for the bikers.
The 42kg, 19 year old bike mechanic excelled over the severe climbs and finished 12 minutes ahead of the ever consistent Kaji Sherpa, with Diprendra Bajracharya making it 1,2,3 for the cyclists.
With todays stage being 75% rideable, Matt Hart was able to give his cycling legs an airing and rode a strong stage to come in in 4th place.
\"When riding on the middle ring, I was able to hold my own or even gain on the front riders, but once the granny ring was engaged the lighter, less areobically challenged, Nepalese riders left me in a cloud of dust,\" mused the 35 year old fitness coach from Westbury, Shropshire.
Phudorjee Lama Sherpa (Peregrine Adventures and First Ascent UK) arrived in Manang looking fresh after the 28km stage. This was the first stage that the 19 year old runner had not finished first, but he still has a commanding lead over any of the riders, with 1 more uphill stage to come.
Dipak Raj Rai(HeatmaxUK) and Sonam Gel Sherpa were the next 2 runners to arrive in the remote mountain village, with the altitude slowing UK runner Philip Morris a little, but he never the less finished only 16 mins behind his rival Phudorjee.
Yangdi Sherpa (Darrin Crosby Builders) continued her great form to be the first female runner back for the 4th consecutive day.
\"Today I found this quite easy\", said Yangdi after completing the stage in 4hrs 5 mins and having climbed over 1000m!
Results for Day 4
1 Ajay Pandit (Biker) (Creative Mapping)- 2:07:30
2 Kaji Sherpa (Biker)- 2:19:06
3 Diprendra Bajracharya (Biker) - 2:22:14
At the halfway stage Phudorjee Lama Sherpa is over 2 hours quicker than the record time set by Hari Rokaya last year and it appears inevitable that the 24 hour mark for the entire circuit will be shattered in 2008.See All Event Posts
