Rajesh D’silva
rajesh@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Buddhi Bahadur Tamang is one of Nepal’s top 3 riders competing in the Goa International Mountain Bike Challenge, (GIMBC).
The 21-year-old, Tamang, is back from the Hero MTB Himalaya race which was flagged off from The Ridge at Shimla and ended on October 4. He was a part of the winning team from Himachal in 2014.
“I was told about the event happening in Goa and flew down directly after the Simla Championship. I have no idea about the terrain and the riders but I will put myself to the test on an unknown terrain,” said Tamang.
Tamang is a proven rider and has emerged on top in the Simla Championship, in the Team of 2 category.
“The Simla Championship lasted for 7 days. I stood first and I hope to do better here but the weather is hot. The terrain here is soft and there are still some riders to come. The real challenge would be in the form of international riders so I cannot say if it’s going to be a easy win.
“My bike, made in Switzerland cost Rs 2,50,000 and I will look to test it for the first time in Goa,” informed Tamang. The young Nepali rider is passionate about cycling and had quit studies at quite an early age.
“I am one of the top 3 Nepal riders. I take great pride in representing Nepal which recently was hit by the ghastly earthquake. Our top riders have contributed in every way to the victims and I hope to make a difference here,” said an emotional Tamang.
The Goa International Mountain Bike Challenge will feature over 50 participants most of whom will be travelling from outside Goa, including an international Swiss cyclist Pablo Erat a well-known participant in triathlons on the Goan Circuit.
The race will feature the best of talent amongst the MTB riders in India and internationally.
All riders for the Goa International MTB Challange will be staying at a natures resort near Dudhsagar Waterfalls.
Goa International Mountain Bike Challenge, (GIMBC) is India’s first multi-stage Cross Country (XC) Race with some of India’s best MTB riders, international riders and ameteur MTB riders being challenged by the technical descents, forest roads, rocky paths and obstacles.
GIMBC is not a point to point stage race. The race will be conducted across 3 days in cross country (XC) format. It is a lap based race. XC courses and trails consist of rough forest paths, singletrack/doubletrack, smooth fire roads and even paved paths connecting other trails.
Mountain bike enduro competitions typically take place over the course of 1 or 2 days, however, week-long enduro competitions do also exist. A typical one-day enduro race consists of 3 to 5 timed ‘special’ stages which take place on technically demanding, generally descending terrain.
These special stages are linked by predominantly ascending ‘liaison’ stages. Although a rider’s specific performance on the physically demanding liaison stages does not affect his or her result, the liaisons are often associated with a time-cut off (i.e. a latest permitted arrival at the summit of the next special stage).
