#Tour of the #Dragon Completing the 268-km bike race in 10 hours and 42 minutes, a Nepalese national, Ajay Pandit Chhetri broke last year’s record to emerge as the champion of the Tour of the Dragon on Saturday. The 26-year-old finished the race by more than 40 minutes faster than last year’s champion, Sonam who managed to come third this time completing the race in 11 hours 23 minutes. The winner said that the altitude, weather conditions and environment was similar to that of Nepal, where he was the national champion from 2009 till 2013. “I made a history in Bhutan since I broke the record,” he said adding that it was a proud moment for him. Despite coming second, Raj Kumar Shrestra, 25, another Nepalese also broke last year’s record by finishing 15 minute behind his countrymen. He expected to win the race but the rain, he said, made it difficult to accelerate. Sonam who won the race in 2012 and 2013, said he did not train enough to win the race. “I was 10 minutes behind my last year’s record,” he said adding he was demotivated. Forty six cyclists took part in the race, including six women and international participants from Japan, USA, Switzerland, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Germany and Netherlands. Only 24 completed the race. A 31-year-old participant from USA, Greg Bargo, said this race was one of the toughest races he ever participated because of diverse altitude and weather conditions. “I was delighted by the scenic beauty along the journey,” he said. Although he was unable to complete the race, he said the Bhutanese tradition and its people was something that he would remember forever from the race. He plans to take part next year too. Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay who awarded prizes to the winners said Tour of the Dragon is gaining popularity worldwide and is an opportunity to splendidly organise it next year to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. It would be great moment, he said if local participants could put in efforts to win the race next year. The winner took home Nu 150,000 with a trophy and the first runners up, Nu 95,000. The third received Nu 75,000. Tour of the Dragon is considered to be one of the #toughest #one-day #mountain #bike races in the #world. It passes through altitudes ranging from 1,200m to 3,340m crossing four mountains passes from central to western Bhutan. Courtesy Kuensel ablesherabtravels ablesherabtravels@gmail
Posted on: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 05:41:28 +0000
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