Former Tour de France rider Reimund Dietzen to explore India with Hero MTB Himalaya

Reimund Dietzen

Nothing sums up Reimund Dietzen more than the quote, “Age is just a number”. The 56-year-old is one of the participants in one of the toughest races in the world – Hero MTB Himalaya 2015. The veteran cyclist will use the bags of experience he gained in his professional riding career that lasted from 1982 to 1990 to chart his way through the rocky terrain.

Hero MTB Himalaya is Asia's oldest MTB race. A venture by HASTPA and Hero cycles is now attracting top riders from across the world and Reimund, being a former Tour de France rider, is using this event to explore India while participating in the Master Solo category. When asked what he is expecting from his first trip to India, the cross-cyclist replied, “To get to know the people of India and learn more about the country”.

Being a well-known cyclist from Europe, Reimund will be adding more glamour to the 11th edition of Hero MTB Himalaya, which he admits will be a “very difficult” challenge and something that he has not done before. The German revealed that the toughest races he has participated in were the Tour de France and the Vuelta de Espana (Tour of Spain).

Reimund’s rise to prominence

Reimund Dietzen rose to prominence during a 4-year period from 1983-1987 when he won two German National Road Racing Championships and as many German National Cyclo-cross Championships. This propelled him to international fame and he continued his fine run by winning a stage at the reputed Vuelta de Espana in 1986.

The following year, he bettered his performance by finishing second overall in the Tour, running eventual champion Luis Herrera close by wearing the leader's jersey for 5 days. He replicated his achievement in the 1988 edition, but tragedy struck the next year.

Having already won a stage, the then 30-year-old crashed while riding through a dimly lit tunnel a few days later and suffered career-ending injuries. He had to retire from professional cycling due to the injuries suffered, bringing to an end an illustrious career which saw him win various races in Spain (Vuelta e La Rioja in 1987, Vuelta a Castilla y Leon in 1988 and Setmana Catalana de Ciclisme in 1989).

However, injuries could not keep Reimund away from his love – cycling. For the past 12 years, since 2003, Reimund has been sharing his knowledge with Team Gerolsteiner, where he is employed as the Sporting Director.

At Hero MTB Himalaya, the German will be riding on the Merida beside his friend Wolfgang Renner. He said he is looking forward to the “adventure of Hero MTB Himalaya and the large family at the camp”.

Despite a glittering career, Reimund was able to pick a favourite race.

“My favourite race was always the Vuelta Espana, but now I am looking forward to Hero MTB Himalaya,” said the German cyclist.

Ahead of the event, Reimund expressed his love for cycling. “In my life in cycling, every day was a new adventure.”

“I am sure Hero MTB Himalaya 2015 will be one of my most memorable adventure again,” he signed off.

Reimund Dietzen is sure to thrill the fans in India in the race and likewise, will surely be taking a lot back to his adopted home, Spain.