International Yak Attack Bycycle Race kicks off

LAMJUNG: The 10th edition of International Yak Attack Bicycle Race, the bicycle race that is held in the high altitude in the Himalayas, began in Beshishahar of Lamjung on Saturday.

The cycling competition is organised by the Mountain Biking Worldwide based in the UK and managed by the Yeti Trails under the Yeti Group of Companies based in Nepal.

The Yak Attack-2016 cycle racing competition in the high Himalaya region is being held along the Annapurna trekking route.

The cyclists participating in the competition will pass through the Thorang-La Pass at an altitude of 5,416 metres.

The race will last for 12 days including two days of rest.

Participants from 14 countries including Nepal are competing in the cycling race. There are 39 competitors from the USA, the UK, Singapore, Japan, Hungary, France, Australia, Austria, New Zealand, Portugal, Malaysia, Canada and Denmark besides Nepal.

Nepali cyclist Ajaya Pandit has clinched the title five times in a row in the previous years.

The winner takes home USD 1,250, the first runner-up USD 750 and the third position will claim USD 500.

On the first day, the competition has been held along a 32-kilometre stretch in Lamjung district itself.