Akshit Gaur of Shimla will be the only mountain biker from India to take part in the cross-country race — Rumble in the Jungle — starting from 11 June in Sri Lanka.
“I am a bit nervous at the thought of competing with ace cyclists from across the world in my first International mountain-biking race. I am banking on my training,” said 17-year-old Akshit.
Akshit, who recently passed the Class 12 examination from St Edward’s School, Shimla, will be competing with some top international bikers such as Cory Wallace from Canada, Yuki Ikeda from Japan and Ajay Pandit Chettri from Nepal.
“It will be a big challenge for me but I will put in my best,” he said.
Akshit has been training in the foothills of Himalayas around Shimla and Narkanda and bikes for 2-4 hours every day.
“I have followed a strict training regime and I am confident about my shape. I am also confident about my new bike — a UT ETX — that is fast and great in handling,” he says.
Akshit has won races like Hero MTB Shimla and MTB Nainital in the student category.
It will be a four-stage race, covering close to 300 km over four days. The participants will climb close to 8,000 metres in 4 days over off-road sections, mountain ranges and tea gardens of Sri Lanka.