Every cyclist's ultimate dream is to participate in MTB Shimla, a unique cycling race that features only top cyclists from different parts of India. The selection process for the event, which takes place in different regions of the country, is so challenging that only the best get to compete in it. This year, Steadfast Nutrition collaborated with the Himalayan Adventure Sports & Tourism Promotion Association (HASTPA) and Hero Cycles for the much-anticipated event that has grown exponentially over the years. Steadfast Athlete Prateek Thakur made the company proud, clinching the second spot in the prestigious event.
Steadfast Nutrition and MTB Shimla go back a long way, Steadfast founder Mr Aman Puri has himself been an avid mountain biker. His love for cycling makes Steadfast Nutrition contribute heavily to all MTB Shimla rides. Besides Prateek, several Steadfast Nutrition athletes participated in this year’s ride, along with 100 other riders in the age group of eight to 52 years. There were a total of six categories featured, open to both men and women.
The riders were briefed about the event a night before after they converged at the Circuit Point. The following morning, all the participants moved in a convoy from the Circuit House to the Tara Devi Mandir Road, the race's starting point. The wait was finally over and the race began. Steadfast Nutrition ensured that the cyclists were prepared for the challenge of mountain riding that requires racers to save energy for longer durations. Team Steadfast gave all of the cyclists two outstanding Steadfast products, Snergy and Carborance, which cater to the energy requirements of athletes. The first stage had it all: pavement, meadows, jeep track, and loose gravel. The riders, who found the first 48 kilometres the most challenging, were exhausted. They made a pit stop at Sadhupul to rejuvenate themselves. The night ended, and it was time for the second stage. The aim was to cover a distance of 32 kms. Steadfast Athletes Tarash and Prateek led the pack and were the only two riders who did not move out of the top 5- not even for a minute. As the ride neared its conclusion, all the cyclists started switching gears, quite similar to how runners do in the last lap. Steadfast athlete Prateek Thakur, who was in the top 5 from the beginning, brought his level best to get a podium finish. One by one, he surpassed riders and ended up securing second place in his category. Mr Rajesh Bhandari, General Secretary of the Himachal Olympic Committee, and Mr Shubhasish Panda, Principal Secretary, Himachal Tourism, were the honorary guests at the finishing ceremony. The athletes were unanimous in their praise of Snergy and Carborance, stating that the energy supplements had held them in good stead throughout the journey.
Steadfast Nutrition and HASTPA have been successfully co-operating for the MTB Shimla race since many years. The race was started in 2011 to promote and search for new talent in India on the lines of Hero MTB Himalaya. Steadfast Nutrition envisions to make India the Sports Capital of the World by 2050; HASTPA aims at placing Shimla on the global map of mountain biking sports. The collaboration between the two has been a catalyst for change across the sporting world.
