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DEVENDER THAKUR WINS THE FIRST EDITION OF THE ULTIMATE LADHAK CYCLING CHALLENGE 2020.

04 November 2020
In association with the Cycling Federation of India, Ladakh Tourism and Ladakh Police organised the first-ever XC-M, Mass Start, cycling challenge at 17582ft, one of the world's toughest challenges.
  
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The event is a 4 Stage challenge covering 200kms and passing through forest roads, river bed, truck paths, and power climbs.
SCOTT Sports India's MTB Athlete won the maiden event and has penned down his racing experience for all.
 
devender3-1766773Position - 1st place
Total time across 04 stages - 7hr 44min
Total no. of participants - 102
27th Oct
Stage 1- Leh to Karu and back, 53kms

The first stage was short, with not much climbing (about 450mtr elevation gain). With 20kms left, Shiven and I did the breakaway from the leading bunch and brought the stage to a sprint finish. I started the sprint too early, which resulted in my 02nd finish after Shiven, within a second.

28th Oct
Stage 2 - Leh to Likir, 40kms

Again, a short stage with about 700m of elevation gain. There was a climb of 3kms where I attacked and tried to go solo. But that attack wasn't enough to take an early lead. I was the only one to work most of the time on the climbs, and Shiven was drafting me. Stage 2 also came down to a sprint finish, but this time, I had the legs, so I timed the sprint to perfection and won the stage. After stage 2, I was still at the 2nd position in the GC (General Classification).devender2-1766774

29th Oct

Stage 3 - Lato (70kms from Leh) to Tanglang La pass (altitude 5283mtrs)Distance - 40kms

Shiven and I were expecting the GC battle to settle down as it was a climb of 41kms, elevation gain of 1700m, and we had to reach Tanglang La pass at 5280m. I attacked many times, but I was also suffering and wasn't feeling that strong due to the increasing altitude. This stage again ended in a sprint finish, and Shiven won this time. He was leading the GC and ended 1sec before me.

30th Oct - Rest day

31st Oct
Stage 4 - Leh to Khardungla pass (Altitude 4360mtrs)Distance - 34kms

I planned to attack from the start, which I did, and lead the race for some distance. There were 4 of us in the lead group. After riding for 10kms, I overtook all and went full gas twice for about 40-50 secs each. Shiven from Himachal and Sonam Norbu from Ladakh both were on my wheel. I could sense they were struggling to keep up with me, and 20kms into the race, I increased my pace once again. This time I dropped both of them and rode solo to the finish line, taking the stage win and the GC as well. For stage 4, I used carbon wheels. That made a huge difference in my speed on the climbs.    devender-bike-1766775The Ultimate Ladhak Cycling Challenge is the first race post the lockdown got lifted and in such trying times. I am thrilled with my performance and gives me great encouragement to keep doing better.

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