HimVani
Manali: Ramesh Joshi won the third Hercules MTB–Trans-Himalayan Challenge Cycling Competition that culminated here after a grueling nine-day cross-country adventure that took the 43 bikers through 650 kilometers of varied courses ranging from simple footpaths, mule trails, dirt tracks to fast-paced gravel roads. Joseph Cruz finished second while Diben Meetei was third.
Joshi was also declared the best uphill rider where as Naresh Burman was the best downhill rider in the event. In the international category, Joseph Cruz won the first prize and in the master category John Nobile was adjudged the best cyclist.
Among the 43 bikers, 26 were foreign nationals from 10 countries, while 12 cyclists represented the Indian Army.