Top 10 MTB races in the world

Mountain bike racing, a competitive cycle sport held on off road terrain is gaining popularity rapidly across the world. Whether it is riding 6 hours a day through the Himalayas or crossing continents, bike enthusiasts from all over the world travel to exotic locations to pit themselves against the best in the world and enjoy themselves while conquering the track.From the scenic Swiss Alps to the lofty Himalayas, we bring you a guide to the top 10 MTB races in the world:

#10 Iron Bike

The Iron Bike marathon is a one-day event held in Ischgl, Switzerlandis considered to be one of the toughest mountain bike marathons in Europe. Due to its culmination in just a day, the event attracts riders from all over the world. This unique race has three categories Short distance (27.5 kms), Middle distance (48 kms) and Long distance (79 kms).

The entry fee is set at650 Euros (US $735) with refreshment zones all over the course. Due to the availability of the different categories,riders of all ages participate in the event which has a total of21,140 Euros (A little less than US $24000) in prize money.

#9 Yak Attack

Yak Attack is the highest mountain bike race on Earth, climbing to the dizzying heights of 5416m above sea level. 8 stages, 400km, 12000m of overall altitude gain and a temperature range of +30 to -15 degrees celsiustests the most experienced of riders. Held annually in Nepal, the race starts from Shivapuri and ends in Khaniya Ghat.

It is internationally recognized as one of the toughest endurance races on the planet. Things dont always run as planned in the Himalayas. With slow service, unavailability of hot showers and no communication with the outside world for days, it is a difficult challenge mentally and physically. It costs about $3750 per person.

#8 La Ruta de los Conquistadores

La Ruta is a multi-stage race held in the Central American country of Costa Rica. The 3-day stage race consists of crossing Costa Rica from the Pacific to the Atantic Coast covering 400 km with 8,000m of elevation gain and strong weather changes. The event is open to professionals and amateurs andpushes some of the worlds strongest mountain bikers to their limits on one of the toughest, most beautiful courses on Earth.

La Ruta is more than a race, it is a personal growth experience. The route which covers coffee fields, jungle, active volcanoes and small villages gives the riders an experience through hot and humid weather at some parts and extremely cold high mountain temperatures all in 3 days. The race costs US $1650 per person and starts in the beach town of Jaco and ends in Playa Bonita.

#7 TransRockies

The TransRockies is an annual 7-day, 400km mountain biking race from Fernie, British Columbia to Canmore, Alberta. The original North American race offers 7 days of racing for teams of 2 and solo riders as well. Past winners include Olympians, national champions, and World Cup Racers.

The race also attracts amateurs of all ages. Since the first TransRockies in 2002,the route has been majorly transformed to eliminate un rideable sections and has 12,000m of climbing. The race costs CAD1499 per person (US $1130).

#6 Breck Epic

The Breck Epic is a 6-day mountain bike race which takes place in the picturesque Breckenridge, Colorado every year. The race is roughly 240 miles long (386 kms) with each stage 28-46 miles long (45 to74 kms). Riders have the option of registering for the3-day race as well.

The lodging and food is taken care of by the organisers throughout the race, which is unique in a way that every stage starts and ends in Breckenridge so that the riders can stay in one place for the entire event.

The early bird registration fees is pricedat$649, while it goes up to$899 for those registering in the final 6 months.

#5 Crocodile Trophy

The Crocodile Trophy is an annual 10-day mountain bike race held in Northern Queensland, Australia. With 9 stages, it covers 770km with an elevation gain of 17,000m. With the weather being blistering hot in the day and temperatures dropping down to -10 degrees celsiusduring the nights, this challenge is a demanding one.

The race was originally intended to be in Vietnam but organizers later realized that it was not possible to so. The race runs from Darwin to Cairns in Australia. It claims to be the hardest, longest and most adventurous MTB race in the world and costs AU$ 2,490 per person (US $1776).

#4 BC Bike Race

BC Bike Race is the brainchild of a passionate group of longtime mountain bike and adventure race professionals based on the West Coast of British Columbia, Canada.It is an adventure and an experience itself as it followsBritish Columbias trails and towns. The rugged coastline means youll be crossing mountains and oceans, by boats, planes, buses, and bikes and even travel on the worlds largest ferry fleet. Some of the camping spots are beside the Pacific Ocean and at the foot of a majestic mountain range.

It has the most single track riding of any multi-day race including a lot of hand built British Columbia trails. The routes change every year and offers various categories and allows teams of 2 as well as solo riders. Over 600 riders participated in the 2014 edition and costs about CAD 1999 per person (a little over US $1500).

#3 Hero MTB Himalaya

Nestled admist the grand Himalayas, Hero MTB Himalaya is one race that promises unbelievable terrains and nature unbound. The race, in its 11th year, is a 7-stage race that spans over 9 days. It starts from the erstwhile British summer capital of India and covers approximately 600 kms through broken tarmac, meadows, hard uphills, spiraling downhills and through village back roads.

An elevation gain of 15,000 m (49,212 ft) over 7 days and a highest altitude of 3250m (10,662 ft) makes Hero MTB Himalaya one of the toughest races today to reckon forces with.

Riders can participate in the race either in the amateur category or the professional category - individually or teams of two. The registration fee for the race costs only US$799 which is inclusive of race fee, bedding and food. Over 70 participants take part in the race representing more than 15 countries from around the world.

#2 TransAlps

One of the most fascinating and spectacular amateur stage races, the TransAlps raceis held across Europe in seven day stages.The race starts from Sonthofen across the Austrian and Italian alps,and ends in Arco at Lake Garda.

The event attracts over 1200 participants from 40 countries every year. The route is over 800 km long and only teams of two are allowed to participate.With over 30,000 spectators at various stages this race costs only 650 Euros per person (US $735),but food and accommodation are extra.

#1 Cape Epic

Held in the Western Cape in South Africa, Cape Epic is an annual mountain biking race which is accredited as beyond categorisation by the Union Cycliste Internationale. The race covers a mammoth 700 kms over an 8-day period, which includes seven stages.Bikers compete in teams of 2 and if they fail to stay together for the duration of the race, their finish is disqualified.

A total of 600 teams take part in this race, which costs 59,600 South African Rand, which converts to nearly US $4405. Tents to sleep, bathing equipment and medical facilities are provided by the organisers while the cyclistsare provided with free bike cleaning servie and mechanics are on hand throughout the racefor any emergency.

The inaugural edition of the race took place in 2004 and it has been a roaring success ever since.In 2014, the prize money for women and men wasmade the same 700,000 South African Rand (over US $51700).