Tour of the dragon starts tomorrow

The second edition of the Tour of the Dragon, the biggest, the lengthiest and testing mountain bike race in country is slated to flag off at 2:00 am tomorrow from Bumthang to Thimphu.

There are nine teams participating in this year’s edition. Each team has three riders each.

Twenty-six-year-old Yeshey Dema is the only woman participant in the race riding for team YDF. The team has included her in order to encourage more women participants.

The 268-km one-day race stretches from central Bhutan to western side of the country in the inner Himalayas, passing four high mountain passes on the way and making it one of the most grueling races in the world.

The winding route has 3,340 m at its highest point and 1,200 m at its lowest with elevation fluctuating along. In total, during the race, one gains 3,790 m and lose 3,950 m.

With daunting route, the race also provides riders one of the most scenic races as one rides through diverse and untouched ecosystems, high mountain passes that unfastens the sight of some of the highest peaks in the world.

Cash prize of Nu 60,000 and coveted title of ‘Dragon Conqueror’ will be conferred to the rider who completes the race in record time.

Ugyen Yoeser won the first Tour of the Dragon in a record time of 13 hours, 39 minutes while His Royal Highness Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck came second completing the race in 15 hours, 2 minutes.

The riders are expected to reach the finishing point at the Clock Tower Square around 2:00-2:30 pm.

By Karma Palden