Kathmandu, November 24:

Surendra Rai won the eighth Nepal National Mountain Bike Championship, organised by Nepal Cycling Association here in Chobhar today.

Rai won the 33km Elite section race ahead of Padam Limbu and Ashil KC. Clara of Czech Republic, Sita Rimal of Nepal and Caroline of UK claimed the top three positions in the Women’s section but the organisers declared Sita the winner and Nirjala Tamrakar runner up.

Chandra Bahadur Chhetri claimed the Master’s title while Kaji Sherpa and Joe Lewis Crutz of the US finished second and third respectively. Raj Kumar Shrestha clinched the Junior title. Raj Kumar Nepali and Rajesh Pariyar ended up second the third respectively.

In all, 118 cyclists — 40 in Elite, 30 in Junior, 37 in Masters and 11 in women — took part in the event. The top three winners in the Elite section got Rs 20,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000. Top three winners in other categories won Rs 5,000, Rs 3,000 and

Rs 2,000 respectively.