Devender Thakur emeregs victorious at the National category race of the 3rd MTB Kerala Championships

Devender Thakur is part of the Hero Action Team, which is the country’s first professionally managed mountain biking team

New Delhi, April 21, 2015: Devender Thakur of Hero Action Team, India’s first professionally managed mountain biking team, won the National category race at the 3rd MTB Kerala championship held on 18th April in Wayanad, Kerala. The annual one-day international mountain biking competition was organised by Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society in association with Cycle Federation of India and District Tourism Promotion Council (DTP)-Wayanad.

The competition saw participants from 15 countries including US, France, Germany, Singapore, Armenia and New Zealand, apart from the host nation. The cyclists participated under two categories-International (Elite men) and National (Elite men). The 20-kilometre race ran through the high hills of Pancharakally near the river Kabani. The track was situated at an altitude of 3000 feet with beautiful tea estates along the way.

Hero Action Team was represented at this international competition by two of its top players -Devender Thakur and Shiven Sharma. Hero Action Team is supported by Hero Cycles, world’s largest bicycle manufacturer, and mentored by HASTPA (Himalyan Adventure Sports and Tourism Promotion Association) in a joint effort to promote mountain biking in India. The team uses UT bikes, India’s most trusted mountain biking cycle brand, to compete in all cycling competitions.

Congratulating the team on the success of its member, Mr Pankaj Munjal, Co-Chairman and Managing Director of Hero Cycles said, “We would like to congratulate Hero Action Team members not just for the big win but also for their participation and efforts. Their persistent efforts and unquenchable thirst for success is what makes them push their limits. We extend our good wishes to them for more such wins in the future.”

Speaking about the win, Gaurav Matta, Marketing Manager, UT Bikes said, “Hero Action Team has been participating in all major races in the country and has been performing really well. The back-to-back wins at MTB Shimla 2015 and MTB Kerala 2015 are a proof of their hard work and the vast potential of this team.”