Pinto, Dietzen & Williamson Win Categories At The 11th Hero MTB Himalaya

News release / 01.11.2015

Touted as one of the toughest races in the world today, the 11th edition of Hero MTB Himalaya was flagged off on 26 September 2015 from The Ridge, Shimla and concluded on 4 October 2015. The Himalayas is the highest range in the world. Nothing can compare to the magnanimity of the mountains; Magnanimous because of the experience it gives to the riders of its beauty, tranquility and preserved culture.

A 7 stage cross country race held in the grand Himalayas, it promises everything a rider looks for while participating in a mountain biking event. A week of breathtaking views, tenacious climbs, dizzying down hills, technical tracks, the cultural experience even while riding and the alacrity of the locals make Hero MTB Himalaya an unmatched racing event.

The race was first conceptualized in 2004 to introduce the world to the unseen and inexperienced beauty of the Himalayas. Owing to the high altitude and the roughness of the different ranges, there is a unique opportunity to explore the mountains on a bike. There is a certain rawness attached to its beauty, mostly because it‟s un-commercialized and protected. The Himalayas with its exquisite and unique mountain range has much to offer to a nature enthusiast and a professional rider. Eleven years into the world of mountain biking and it has become a must-do race on any rider‟s schedule.

It challenges the riders not only physically by testing them in the ubiquitous Himalayan terrain but also mentally by testing their will power and strength of mind to finish each stage. The 7 stage cross country race takes the riders through the beautiful countryside of Himachal Pradesh covering a distance of 620 kms in 8 days with a total elevation of 15,000 m (49,212 ft).

As the rider starts out from Shimla and heads into the interior of the mountains, he is slowly swallowed into the dense forests where the sunlight plays peekaboo with the photographers poised for hours for a photo that encaptures the soul of the moment, the cold streams that are a reminder of the glaciers set high up in the mountains, the single tracks in the midst of nowhere that are the walking path for the locals and the small villages with ancient symbolic architecture – a reminder of the culture preserved within the mountains. All of this while concentrating the entire being into pushing and staying ahead of the other competitors. All of the beauty and the race - together. This is Hero MTB Himalaya.

Day 1 – Bhalku’s Epiphany

The first day of the race kicked off with much enthusiasm from Bhekalti, about 14kms away from the flag off point – The Ridge at Shimla. The first stage named after Baba Bhalku, the well known Indian historical figure who built the century old UNESCO World Heritage Kalka Shimla railway line. The race took the riders through Sanjauli, Narkanda, Sitapur, Baikhalti, Sarog, Dharmpur, finally ending at Gada Kuffar for the camp. A competitive distance of 71 kms, the race put the riders at ease through a gradual elevation gain of 2026 m. The roads lead the riders through thick forests and small villages and gravelled roads on the way up. The campsite welcomed the riders set in a picturesque meadow at Gada Kuffar. A pleasant respite for all riders after an exciting first stage, the endless supply of hot water, food with lunch, snacks and dinner kept up the mood of the campsite.

Day 2 – Satluj Symphony

The beautiful route from Gada Kuffar to Khegsu traversed from apple orchards to pine forests and through jungle tracks covering total distance of 107 kms. The track was a surprise route with some crazy downhill tracks as the total elevation loss was 3446 m. Whizzing down on pebbled loose gravel was an exhilarating stage for the riders – it was either an uphill or a downhill this day. The down hill tracks were very steep and all riders paid extra caution on the way down. The camp was based at a beautiful location next to the river at the base of a mountain.

Day 3 – The Queen Saga

Day 3, popularly known as the Queen‟s Stage took the riders higher into the mountain through the tarmac route. Considered to be an easy stage, it got tougher in the last few kilometers leading to Kullu Sarahan, once the riders entered the last part of the route – a steep stone levelled route. Ecstatic to see the higher ranges of the Himalayas, the riders experienced the beauty of nature unbound as they rode along the river for most if the route. An elevation gain of 3082 kms was duly awarded with the pristine beauty of the camp at Kullu Sarahan. Set at the base if the mountain in a meadow with a small village nearby, the camp redefined the term „quaint.

Day 4 for the riders was a rest day at the same camp. A small cultural program arranged for the riders was a source of entertainment for the day. A small waterfall in the mountains proved to be an easy trek for some of the riders.

Day 5 – The Cliffhanger

As the stage name suggests, it is the toughest uphill and the craziest downhill – a total elevation of 5813 m. A rocky steep descent took the riders along the Sutlej river. A steep route took the riders higher up into the snow clad mountains. A short single track section gave the riders the opportunity to experience the pine forests. The Cliffhanger stage is a lot of uphills and downhills. The beauty of the Himalayas is unsurpassed in these tracks. The camp for the day was set along a small river stream with mountains towering above.

Day 6 – Conquest of the Garh

The race went on to the highest point – Jalori Pass situated at a height of 3020m (9908 ft). The extremely tough uphill climb through the pine trees and graveled tracks took the riders through dense forests and gave them a magnificent show of the mountain ranges set in different hues of green, blue and grey. The clear blue skies above the tall pine trees allowed some sun to reach the ground. A total competitive distance of 73 kms, the downhill was as exalting as the uphill. On the steep downhills, the riders were faster than many cars on the route! The road went through a picturesque village of Jibhi, divided by a clear mountain stream and specked with beautiful houses along the route.

As part of the UN Global Goals campaign the first rider to arrive at Jalori Pass hoisted the Global Goal flag of Quality Education 10,000 feet above sea level. Hero MTB Himalaya partnered with UN to reach out to the far flung areas of India and spread the message of education amongst the children.

The camp for the day was set at Gada Gushaini, a picturesque village in a village far away, tucked on one side of the mountain. River streams, old wooden houses dipping temperature that turned the moisture to freeze in the mornings, open meadows that showcase the Milky Way Galaxy – it was a dream camp in the middle of Himachal!

Day 7 – The Himalayan Raga

This 98 km route from Gada Gushaini to Chindi has one of the most beautiful landscapes you’d ever come across. Villages on the steep mountains, beautiful loops in the mountains, long dusty tracks, gut wrenching downhills – all lead to the beautiful rest house at Chindi. The sunset was in beautiful hues of pinks and oranges. A sight you‟d want to see after a long day or hardcore riding.

Day 8 – The Leopard’s Province

The final stage of the race from Chindi to Shimla brought a smile to the rider‟s faces – literally! Majority of the track was tarmac, a respite after 7 days of riding on jeep tracks, loose gravel and muddy tracks. A relatively easy day with only 1769m of elevation gain, Luis Leao Pinto, Andi Seewald and Pau Zamora – the top 3 riders arrives at the finish line at the same time in the true spirit of sportsmanship.

The podium ceremony took place at The Ridge in Shimla after which all riders rode back to the East Bourne Hotel to freshen up and relax. The Award ceremony took place at the hotel itself where all the winners were awarded. Out of 78 riders who started out the race on Day 1, only 40 riders completed the race.

One of the biggest editions of the HASTPA organised Hero MTB Himalaya was concluded with a bang on 4 October, 2015. Out of the 78 riders that participated in the race that was flagged off on 27 September from The Ridge, only 40 riders completed the race.

The award distribution ceremony was organised at Hotel East Bourne, Khalini presided over by our Guest of Honour Major Vijay Singh Mankotia, Vice Chairman – Tourism Development Board, Himachal Pradesh.

A total cash prize of INR 11 Lacs was distributed amongst the winners in 7 categories, which is the highest in India:

1.     Open Men Solo

Winner: Luis Leao Pinto

2.     Open Women Solo

Winner: Catherine Williamson

3.     Masters Solo

Winner: Reimund Dietzen

4.     Team of Two

Winner: Ajay Pandit Chhetri & Buddhi Bahadur Tamang

5.     Best Indian Rider

Winner: Kiran Kumar

6.     Most Promising Rider

Winner: Shiven

7.   Best Uphill Rider

Winner: Luis Leao Pinto

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