At the third edition of mountain biking challenge held in Thimphu on December 31 last year, Thinley Norbu completed the race in 34 minutes 40 seconds, riding a six-kilometer uphill stretch against the average gradient of 8.5 percent.

Breaking the previous record of 35 minutes 33 seconds, he won the King of the Mountain title. Chimi Dema took the Queen of the Mountain title for the second consecutive time. She completed the race 0.95 seconds late against her previous record of 46 minutes 7 seconds.

Tandin Wangchuk, 17, broke the fastest time record by three seconds. He topped the junior boys’ category, completing the race in 35 minutes 30 seconds.

The race started from Lungtenzampa school parking, through Samarzingkha plantation area, and finished at the top of Tandin Ney.

Twenty-six cyclists took part in the day-long challenge organised by Thimphu Mountain Biking Club. The men cyclists competed in three different categories – elite men, masters men, and junior boys. The lone women competitor took part in the elite category.

Staff reporter

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