'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Hero MTB Himalaya is an annual bike racing event held in the mountainous state of Himachal Pradesh, India. It will be the 11th edition of the race with the first edition being in 2005.
The riders cover a distance of 550 kilometres in a span of 8 days, with each day being a new stage. The race route follows a loop, with the event flagging off in Shimla on 27th September 2015 and ending in the same city on 4th October 2015 while crossing the Kullu and Mandi districts.
The race has the following categories for the cyclists:
- Open men solo
- Open Women solo
- Open masters (age 40 and above) solo
- Teams of 2 riders
Let us recollect the winners of the last 10 editions of the Hero MTB Himalaya:
2005 – Norbert Szenthinlosi
The Hungarian international Norbert Szenthinlosi won the first edition of the MTB Himalaya racing event in the open men solo category.
With him, he brings a huge amount of experience that he earned while racing in the lofty peaks of Europe.
The rider showed a great amount of endurance, bike handling skills and core strength to win the first edition of the MTB Himalaya racing event.
2006 – Ramesh Joshi
An officer of the Indian army, Ramesh Joshi won the second edition of the Hero MTB Himalaya racing event in the open men solo category. He has been the biggest weapon for the Indian army in the bike racing events.
In 2005, the army men participated in the Army Adventure Challenge cup- 12 Rapids team, where he performed exceedingly well to get selected for the Army team.
Later in his career, the rider shifted to road biking.
2007 – Kalyan Singh
Another veteran from the Indian army, Kalyan Singh was the oldest rider to take part in the mountainous event.
Mr. Singh won the MTB Himalaya 2007 event in the open men solo category and continued to take part in the event for the next 6 editions, with the last being the 2013 race. He is known for his great amount of energy he shows in the racing events.
2008, 2009 – Padam Subba
The powerhouse of the Nepalese mountain biking team, Padam Subba dominated the MTB Himalaya 2008 and 2009 edition in the open men solo category and is one of the best riders who had participated in the first 10 editions of the 7-day racing event.
Padam shook off challenge from top riders from all over the world to emerge victorious in back-to-back editions. His remarkable performances helped Nepal to feature on the racing map of the world.
Irrespective of his short height, he is known for his bullet-like speed on the toughest of terrains.
2010, 2011 – Ajay Pandit Chettri
Another important member of the Nepal mountain biking team, Ajay Pandit Chettri won the 2010 and 2011 editions of the MTB Himalaya racing event in the open men solo category.
He has been the Nepalese national champion on 4 occasions and has a podium finish to his name at another MTB race – the Yak Attack. He started riding at the tender age of 15 and since then has not looked back.
He is being sponsored by many European brands and can challenge any rider from any part of the world on any terrain.
2012 – Narayan Gopal Mahajan
Another rider from the India’s neighbouring country Nepal, Narayan Gopal Mahajan won the 2012 MTB Himalaya racing event in the open men solo category.
The energetic rider is considered only the second best rider in the country behind Ajay Pandit Chettri.
2013 – Luis Leao Pint
The Portuguese International Luis Leao Pinto is ranked 9th in the world rankings and number 6th in Europe. He took part in the 2013 MTB Himalaya racing event for the first time in 2013 and won the event handsomely.
Luis Leão Pinto became the first rider in their history to climb the three steps of the podium (1st in 2013, 2nd in 2012, 3rd in 2011) at the Titan desert MTB Marathon.
He has also won the 2012 Brazil ride event and the 2012 MTB Tour of Catalunya.
2014 – Cory Wallace
The 3 times canadian national champion, Cory Wallace won the 2014 edition of the MTB Himalaya racing event in the open men solo category.
The rider is ranked 18 in the world for cross country marathon MTB and is also the brand ambassador for the MTB Himalaya racing event.
He showed great strength to climb the steep hills of Himalayas to win his 1st MTB Himalaya event.
