9 Days. 8 Race Stages. 650 kms Distance. 16,000 m Total Elevation Gain.
Welcome to the 12th Hero MTB Himalaya 2016 - the grandest and the toughest multi-stage XCM (Cross-country marathon style) MTB race in our country. The extraordinary factual numbers displayed in this article’s beginning are actually just that - the beginning; this race takes its riders through so many unexpected terrains and untouched parts of the Himalayas that the race becomes a life-changing experience for most. Since 2004, the Hero MTB Himalaya has triggered a revolution in terms of how bicycle racing is perceived in India and has consequentially resulted in our country being considered as a serious destination for mountain biking.
This year’s edition starts on Sept. 24th in Shimla and culminates on Oct. 3rd, 2016 at Dharamshala.
If you are interested in participating, following are all the important itinerary checkpoints you need to know:
Day of Physical Registration - Sept. 24
The physical registration will happen in a luxury hotel in Shimla (TBA). Here are all the things that will be taken care of on that day:
1. Registration timings: 12pm - 7pm / Venue: Hotel (TBA)
a) Registration Documentation
b) Medical Certification & Insurance
c) Rider Docket Distribution
2. Rider briefing: 7:30pm / Venue: Hotel (TBA)
a) Race Routes & Rules Briefing
3. Dinner: 8:30pm / Venue: Hotel (TBA)
Link for online registration: http://hastpa.org/online-registration-hero-mtb-himalaya/
Day wise itinerary for the race : Sept 25th - 3rd October
Opening Day - Sept. 25
1. Breakfast: 6:30am - 7:30am / Venue: Hotel (TBA)
2. Start: 8am / Venue: Hotel (TBA)
3. Flag Off + Chief Guest Speech: 9am / Venue: The Ridge, Shimla
4. End: 6pm / Venue: Race Campsite 1
5. Presentation: 7:30pm
6. Dinner: 8pm
Rest Day - Sept. 29 (Day 6, Stage 5)
1. Breakfast: 7am / Venue: Race Campsite 3
2. Start: 8am / Venue: Race Campsite 3
3. End: 6pm / Venue: Race Campsite 4
4. Presentation: 7:30pm / Venue: Race Campsite 4
5. Dinner: 8pm / Venue: Race Campsite 4
Closing Ceremony - Oct. 3 (Day 9, Stage 8 + Podium Finish)
1. Breakfast: 7am / Venue: Race Campsite 1
2. Start: 8am / Venue: Race Campsite 1
3. End: 5pm / Venue: The Ridge, Shimla
4. Flag In: 5:30pm / Venue: The Ridge, Shimla
5. Podium Finish + Prize distribution + Closing Ceremony + Dinner: 7:30pm
Race Details
1. Start Place: Shimla
2. End Place: Shimla
3. Race Type: Cross country multi-stage MTB endurance race
4. Total Days: 9
5. Number of Slots: 80
6. Stay Type: Hotels (First & last day), Tents & Campsites (Race days)
7. Race Categories: Open Men Solo, Open Women Solo, Team of Two Open Masters Solo
Track Details
1. Location: Indian Himalayas
2. Terrain Type: Off-road, Broken Tarmac, Gravel, Rocks, Mud, Sand, Loose Rock
3. Total Elevation Gain: 16,000 m. Highest Altitude: 3,250 m Distance: 650 kms approx.
Important Information for Racers
The participants are divided into 2 categories - Professional and Amateurs.
Only the Professional category is competitive and hence eligible for the prize since they will race the entire route.
The Amateur category is non-competitive and hence non-eligible for the prize. Their route will also be 30% shorter than the competitive route.
Racer Package:
1. Solo National - INR 29,499 (Twin-sharing accommodation), INR 32,499 (Single accommodation)
2. Solo International / Sponsored Riders - USD 899 (Twin-sharing), USD 949 (Single)
3. National Team of 2 - INR 54,999 (Twin-sharing), INR 60,999 (Single)
4. International / Sponsored Team of 2 - USD 1,699 (Twin-sharing), USD 1,799 (Single)
Prize Money
1. Men Solo:
a) Winner - INR 80,000.
b) First Runner Up - INR 60,000
c) Second Runner Up - INR 50,000
2. Women Solo
a) Winner - INR 70,000.
b) First Runner Up - INR 50,000
c) Second Runner Up - INR 30,000
3. Masters Solo (40-50 yrs)
a) Winner - INR 70,000.
b) First Runner Up - INR 50,000
c) Second Runner Up - INR 30,000
4. Grand Masters Solo (51+ yrs)
a) Winner - INR 70,000.
b) First Runner Up - INR 50,000
c) Second Runner Up - INR 30,000
5. Team of 2
a) Winner - INR 1,50,000.
b) First Runner Up - INR 1,00,000
c) Second Runner Up - INR 80,000
6. Overall winner
a) Winner - INR 70,000.
b) First Runner Up - INR 50,000
c) Second Runner Up - INR 30,000
7. Best Indian Rider
a) Winner - INR 50,000.
b) First Runner Up - INR 30,000
c) Second Runner Up - INR 20,000
8. Day Stage Winner - INR 10,000
9. Most Promising Rider - Gift Hampers
10. Best Uphill Rider - Gift Hampers
11. Best Downhill Rider - Gift Hampers
12. Audience Choice Rider - Gift Hampers
Important information for non-racers
You can register even if you do not wish to race. This helps you witness the race and soak in the crazy experience. You can also come to support a particular rider.
Non-Racer Package:
1. Tripper - INR 29,499 (Twin-sharing Accommodation), INR 32,499 (Single Accommodation)
2. Supporter - INR 29,499 (Twin-sharing Accommodation), INR 32,499 (Single Accommodation)
You can download the entire Racebook here in order to know everything that you require should you wish to participate: http://www.mtbhimalaya.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/MTB-H-2016_RaceBook-v16.02_1280x720-px.pdf
Website: http://www.mtbhimalaya.com/
If you wish to participate, we personally recommend you to hurry up as there are only 80 slots.
It’s time to grow up, it’s time for MTB!
