Hero MTB Himalaya participant German Andreas Seewald reveals ambition and why he took up cycling

India's premier mountain bike race Hero MTB Himalaya flagged off in the city of Shimla on 27th September with more than 130 riders taking part in the 550 km race. One of the young riders taking part in the men solo category is the German international Andreas Seewald, who has been racing in the difficult hilly terrains since making his professional debut in 2011.

When asked how he took up cycling by Hero MTB Himalaya, the 23-year-old said, “I was too bored to walk up and down the mountains”.

He has participated in many races around the world in his short 4-year career as a rider. Marathons in Europe like Salzkammerguttrophy 211km, Black Forest Ultra bike, Alpentour Trophy, Zillertal Challenge, World championship Sellaronda Hero and others have already been conquered by the German.

This is the first time Seewald would be taking part in Hero MTB Himalaya. He has chosen the Centurion Backfire 29" bike for its speed, weight and robustness to guide him in his maiden foray across the tallest mountain range in the world. Seewald said that he would love to ride the Centurion Numinis 29" Fully sometime in the future.

Seewald rated his performance at the UCI Bike Marathon World championship 2015 where the rider finished 16th as the best achievement of his career. He, however, has his sights set on a prestigious bike marathon championship.

“First Place at UCI Bike Marathon World championship,” Seewald revealed his aims for the future. His highest finish at the championship has been eighth.

He has recently come back from an injury on his right knee, which he suffered in mid-February 2015 and has worked hard on regaining his fitness for the 8-day long race along the hills of the Himalayas.

When asked what is the best thing he loved about cycling on the hills, he replied, “That it´s faster than walking, but slow enough to see everything around you?.”

The 23-year-old is excited about taking part in the 550 km race in the valley city of Shimla as he will be getting to know a new country and their people.

He named Albanator, Peter Sagan and Nino Schurter as the riders who inspired him on every step while choosing this tough sport as a career. Seewald has also taken up a 6-month long South America road trip on his bike which he says is the most aspirational moment of his life.

This will be the 11th edition of the MTB Himalaya race with the first edition being in 2005.