SHIMLA, 09.05.24-The 11th Edition of Firefox MTB Shimla is all set to begin from the majestic Shimla hills. What sets apart this year’s Firefox MTB Shimla is not just the new hilly, wobbly and adventurous track; but also the participation of myriad pf enthusiastic riders who are the role models for the entire mainstream audience. The race will be set over two days and riding 130 KM . The riders will be climbing 3000 vertical meters as they ride jeep roads, single tracks and forest climbs.
The host city, as suggested by the name is Shimla. The race takes the riders through some of the most pristine parts of the Shivalik Mountains, also known as the lesser Himalayas or the foothills of the Himalayas. The race is set in a background that calls out to an adventure lover, a mountain biker, a nature lover, and asks them to get embodied in the serene Himalayas.
Below are the Highlights for This years race
- Firefox Road to Himalaya , India’s biggest cycling talent hunt – 11 races were organised in 11 cities across India ( Jaipur , Gurgaon , Haldwani , Chennai , Thrissur , Guwahati , Itanagar , Srinagar, Pune, Mysuru)
- A completely New Route and Format : The race is going to be held in a Cross Country Marathon and Cross country Olympic style and will be going through unchartered terrains. The race will pass through forest trails of Kufri Wildlife sanctuary and the janedghat wildlife sanctary and the forests of Mashobra.
- Highest Ever participation : This years race will see participation from 45 cities across India . This is the most representation ever in a Mountain Biking race in India. Shimla leads the way with 16 athletes , followed by 12 from Jaipur , 10 from Gurgaon , 10 from Dehradun and 7 from Chennai.
- The race will be held in 7 categories - Under 16 Boys ; Under 19 Boys ; Elite Men , Masters men , Grand Masters men ; Women Elite and Women Masters
- 5. Highest ever women participation 16 riders.
- Rider Demographics : The youngest rider at the race is 11 years of age Tanush Kohli ( from Odisha) ; Youngest girl at the race : Divija Sood from Shimla ; Oldest rider at the race is 63 years of age ( Nizamuddin – ex airforce)
- Top rider profiles : Rajbir singh ( Winner MTB Shimla 2023 ) ; Rakesh Rana ( Winner MTB Shimla 3 Times) ; Akshit Gaur ( 2 times national gold medal and MTB Shimla winner category 3 times) ; Prashant Bist ( Jaipur) ; Jesna James ( National Podium winner) ; Priyanka Mehta ( National Medalist) ; A team from Army Training command ; A team from ITBP
- Free entry to all national podium winners to promote young MTB talent in India
- 50 athletes selected through road to Himalaya races to promote talent in India
- Partnership with Firefox Bikes and Magucho : Firefox bikes are India’s biggest premium bicycle brand and over the last two decades has changed how people look at cycling in India. HASTPA and firefox are coming together for the first time to take cycling to every city in India. We are also partnering with Magucho to curate cycling experiences across India”
“We at Magucho are very excited to be working in partnership with Firefox Bikes, to bring curated rides to cities across the country and make cycling accessible to all. Magucho stands for helping people in making good choices that are affordable , sustainable and healthy” Said Gul Panag, actor and Founder of Magucho
The CEO of Firefox Bikes Mr Sriram Sundresan said “as a brand Firefox Bikes are committed to promoting cycling and mountain biking in India. We took road to Himalaya to 11 cities across India with a single objective : to identify the best cycling talent and provide a free and fair platform for them to showcase their talent. Firefox MTB Shimla is a culmination of the road to Himalaya races where the best in India will compete with each other for ultimate glory.
We have big ambitions for Indian cycling enthusiasts . We want to provide cyclists whether professional or budding amateurs with best in class products and make sure they have all the tools they need to perform at the top level”
“ We are very excited by the response of young athletes across India. Participation from 45 cities is something we are very proud of. It just shows what races like MTB Shimla can do. They inspire people to achieve more. We are happy to have played a pivotal role in the growth of mountain biking in India. MTB Shimla has become Indias most loved race and its also a wonderful showcase of the tourism potential of Himachal in the sport.” Said Mr Mohit Sood – President HASTPA
FOR FURTHER DETAILS IF REQUIRED CONTACT-
Team HASTPA
Ambika, Aarti , Kajal
mtbshimla@hastpa.org , mtbhimalaya@hastpa.org
8219067669 ; 8894827618 ; 9805658835