Yak Attack
To the Finish
Phil Evans (Extreme World Challenges) / 18.03.2011
<b>Stage 10 Muktinath to Tatopani 67km, 2500m of Descent</b>After the ardours of yesterdays stage everybody was looking forward to an easier final day, but with only 18 minutes separating the top 2, Ajay Pandit Chhetri (Genesis/Torq) and Rajeev Rai (Brelades Vets) it was set to be a tense finale.
With everybody vying for first position on the initial descent out of Muktinath, there was a mass pile up at the stone steps involving Dawa Sherpa, Mangal Lama, John Ferguson and John McGillivray but no serious injuries were sustained and everyone managed to remount and rejoin the race. At some steep loose rock switch backs leading down to Ekle Bhati the top local riders were able to break away by riding directly down the bank, while their chasing international counterparts took the cautious option by pushing down. Kumar Gurung took a fall on this section suffering some serious gashes to his ear which meant he later had to go to hospital in Pokhara for stitches.
From Jomoson the trail levelled with some undulating terrain following the course of the river, taking the riders through numerous small settlements, packs of horses, past waterfalls and through water courses. After Kalopani the trail once again dropped rapidly on rocky/sandy terrain, ideal riding for the boys on full sussers, but not so fun for the fully rigids! With the loss of altitude, the temperature increased and the cloud cover and cooling wind was a welcome relief with the majority finishing at the hottest part of the day.
With such a small time margin between the top 3 riders, it was with baited breath that the timekeepers kept an eye on the finishing straight into Tatopani. Right on schedule and for the second year in succession the first contender to cross the line was Ajay Pandit Chhetri (Genesis/Torq), the most consistent rider of the series and in the end a worthy winner. Crossing the line Ajay dismounted his bike, thanked his sponsors and then sat in thoughtful reflection waiting for his companions to finish.
Next in was Raj Kumar Shrestha (Himalayan Singletrack) one of the initial event favourites, who had seemingly suffered with the rigours of an arduous 10 day stage race, eventually finishing 10th overall.
Next over the line were Rajeev Rai (Brelades Vets) and Padam Sabenhang, hand in hand and finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively overall. Mangal Krishna Lama finished 5th, securing 4th place overall, whilst John "The Hoff" Ferguson saved himself until the last day, to take, in his words "The ultimate stage victory" for the internationals.See All Event Posts
