In a historic partnership for mountain biking in India, Hero Cycles today announced a new collaboration between Hero MTB Himalaya and Bike Transalp, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious mountain races, to promote the sport amidst a larger audience in both Asia and Europe. As part of the association, the Himalayan Adventure Sports & Tourism Promotion Association (HASTPA), the organizers of Hero MTB Himalaya and Bike Transalp will work together to promote the sport of cycling and Mountain Biking and take it to new audience and participants in both continents. With MTB growing into one of the most exciting forms of cycling sport, this partnership aims to attract more and more riders towards this form of riding by offering the best riding experiences from the finest mountains of the world.
Bike Transalp is one of the most coveted and keenly followed MTB Stage races and sees active participation from top athletes from across the world. Hero MTB Himalaya, on the other hand, has slowly and steadily established India and Indian Himalayas as a world class riding destination for MTB riders. This partnership aims to make both ends meet. The partnership will cross promote adventure tourism between India and Europe. To begin with four to eight riders from Europe would be participating in the 12th Hero MTB Himalaya 2016.
“Bike Transalp was our inspiration when we started Hero MTB Himalaya in 2005. 11 years later we are thrilled to partner with them to promote the sport further in India. Cycling is rapidly increasing in India as a lifestyle activity and with exposure to world class riders and races it will definitely inspire young riders to take up MTB as a sport,” says Mohit Sood, President HASTPA and Founder of Hero MTB Himalaya.
“Cycling as a lifestyle activity and adventure sport has long been prevalent in Europe. In India it has gained followers in recent years, with sports like Mountain Biking already establishing a niche audience of their own. We want to promote cycling as a lifestyle activity in India and desire to win new converts to the sport of mountain biking. We are therefore thrilled to enter into a new association with one of the world’s most prestigious mountain biking races. We are sure this partnership will go a long way in popularizing the sport in India,” said Mr Pankaj Munjal Chairman and Managing Director Hero Cycles.
The BIKE Transalp powered by Sigma 2016 is the toughest amateur mountain bike stage race than extends across the Alps. In seven stages 600 teams of two, ride challenging trails, steep up and downhill along wonderful backgrounds and panoramas characteristic only to the breathtaking European Alps. The BIKE Transalp is characterized through a professional event structure, the sophisticated organization, years of experience, rising quality and the annual optimization of the roadway support system. 2016 is set to see the 19th edition of the BIKE Transalp.
