Shimla as a city is most well known for its majestic hills, the British Raj, and peaceful people. Sports have not been one of the defining characters of this city. However this is changing and it’s changing fast.
Hero MTB Himalaya played a pivotal role is spreading the sport of Mountain Biking to the general population of India and its has led to a revolution in how people perceive the sport.
The sport is now quite popular especially in the Urban Centres of the country. It is however, the small hilly state of Shimla which is producing the best MTB talent of the country.
It all started with the Hero Action Team a couple of years ago and has now transpired a generation of talented riders from the city who are the best in the country. These young riders might look small but when on a mountain bike , they are beasts.
These 5 young riders will take the country by storm in the upcoming 5th Hero MTB Shimla
1 Devender Thakur(Age: 22) -This boy from the tribal belts of Pangi in Chamba is a student at the Himachal University and a 2 times champion of Hero MTB Shimla. Devender is arguably the best mountain biker in the country and has won medals at the national games too.
Devender is a part of the Hero Action team by HASTPA and will soon be racing in International races.
2 Gaurish Shyam (Age: 15): Gaurish is only 15 years of age and is a student 0f DAV New Shimla - Grade 10! At 15 he has already raced in 2 editions of Hero MTB Shimla and will be challenging for the title.
Last year he finished 2nd in the students category and 5th Overall.
3 Akshit Gaur (Age: 16) - This will be Akshit’s second Hero MTB Shimla and he is currently being rated as one of the best . Akshit is class 12 student from St Edwards School Shimla and he is hoping he can win the students category and be on the podium in the overall category as well.
Akshit lives in Tutu, His father has his business in Uttarakhand whereas his mother works with BSNL in Shimla.
4 Rohan Kukreja(Age 16) - Rohan is another student from St Edwards school Shimla ( Grade 12 ) and will be racing in his 2nd MTB Shimla. Already having a taste of how the podium looks this young man will be all set to challenge the best !
5 Adhiraj Singh( Age 15) : Adhiraj is a student of class 10 in St Edwards School and this will be his first time at the race. He has proven in local races and rides that he can compete with the best in the country. This being his first time makes him a little nervous but at the same time, it gives him what we call in sport “ the nervous confidence”
The riders have been mentored and supported by HASTPA as well as Hero Cycles. The equipment for the Hero Action team is at par with what the best riders use across the world.
“We can’t thank Hero Cycles and HASTPA enough for the platform that they have given us. The support, the bikes , other nutrition supplements. We have a new partner Daaki which helps us with nutrition. It’s not possible without support to follow such an expensive sport . I will do well to race at the top level and will do my state and my country proud. I want to race at the Olympics one day,” said Devender Thakur, one of the best cyclists in India.
“We at HASTPA always envisioned to see India and Shimla on the world map of cycling. I think the races helped us get global recognition and the Hero Action Team is showing us what is possible in terms of producing and nurturing talent. It has led to a series of companies supporting riders and talent and that is what creates a healthy environment for sports to grow - The support system! Akshit is someone we picked up at our first school program and look where he is now - Competing and beating the best. I am proud of what these students are doing,” said Ashish Sood, member of HASTPA and team manager for Hero Action Team
“I am proud of what Shimla has achieved in mountain biking and I will fight very hard for Shimla in the upcoming Hero MTB Shimla to ensure our city gets the best city award,” he added.
