The International bike giant Scott Sports has partnered with HASTPA (Himalayan Adventure Sports & Tourism Promotion Association), the pioneers of MTB racing in India, to launch a new racing team. The goal is to nurture the next generation of athletes who will win medals for India.
HASTPA, the organizer of Asia’s oldest mountain biking race, Hero MTB Himalaya (19 years and counting), is the undisputed leader in bringing the sport of mountain biking to India. The association aims to put India on the world map for mountain biking by making the Himalayas the preferred destination. Additionally, HASTPA is dedicated to developing eco-friendly infrastructure across Himachal Pradesh, with active involvement from the local community.
Scott Sports is a leading bicycle brand globally, with the finest racing team that has won 4 Olympic medals and numerous world championships. Scott chose HASTPA as its partner, recognizing HASTPA’s significant contributions to the promotion of mountain biking in India and its unwavering support for the sport.
Together, Scott Sports and HASTPA are launching a racing team in India, consisting of three riders selected based on their past performances in national events and their potential to win medals for India.Scott Sports has contributed equipment worth INR 15 lakhs, including high-end carbon racing bicycles for both mountain biking and road racing formats.
The contribution also includes racing helmets, jerseys, shoes, and other necessary accessories. The riders will also get training support from HASTPA through its international MTB community reach.The selected riders are Yugal Thakur (17 years old) and Rajbir Singh (20 years old) from Himachal Pradesh, and Aayush Negi (17 years old) from Uttarakhand.
All these riders have won medals at various national events and have also finished on podiums at MTB Himalaya Shimla. These riders will now compete under the Scott HASTPA Racing Team, representing the team in races with a structured format and training plan.
The mission of building this team is to elevate the culture of mountain biking in India, increase awareness of mountain biking as an Olympic sport, inspire and nurture more riders at the grassroots level, and participate in international races, continental championships, and Asian championships. “Our ultimate goal is to produce an Olympian in Mountain Biking from India,” says Mr. Mohit Sood, President of HASTPA.