Guwahati: The sixth edition of MONDURO, a mountain biking event, began in Tawang on Monday with the snow leopard as its central theme.Themed ‘MONDURO 6.0 — The Ghost of the Mountains’, the event pays tribute to the snow leopard, revered as the mysterious spirit of the Himalayas, while promoting adventure sports and raising awareness about wildlife conservation.Riders from India and abroad will navigate Tawang’s rugged Himalayan terrain, testing their endurance, technical skills and mental strength. Inspired by the agility, strength and resilience of the elusive big cat, MONDURO 6.0 seeks to capture the untamed spirit of the mountains through adventure and sporting excellence.The main competitive races are scheduled for Nov 13 and 14. Around 25 cyclists, including participants from the United Kingdom, Nepal and Indonesia, are expected to take part. The competition will feature three categories — Men Elite, Hardtail and Women. The riders will cover around 22 km across two mountain trails.The event was inaugurated in the presence of Namgyal Angmo, deputy commissioner of Tawang, as chief guest. Tasi Darang, superintendent of police, Tawang, was the guest of honour. ZPM’s Sonam Norzin and Tenzin Monpa, along with heads of departments and other district officials, also attended.Angmo praised the Tawang Cycling Association (TCA) for organising six consecutive editions and said the event had helped promote adventure sports and establish Tawang as a mountain biking destination. She urged participants to uphold sportsmanship and prioritise safety, particularly by allowing themselves adequate time to acclimatise to the region’s high-altitude conditions.Setting off from stage starting points at elevations reaching over 14,400 feet, MONDURO 6.0 challenges athletes with extreme high-altitude terrain, steep technical descents and rugged natural wilderness.TCA president Sangey Tsering said,”TCA is committed to promote mountain biking, encouraging youth participation in adventure sports and showcasing Tawang’s immense potential as an international adventure tourism destination.”He said the event’s growth into an internationally acclaimed event had been supported by Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu.The flag-off was led by the chief guest and guest of honour, following which participating cyclists took out a joy ride through Tawang town.“With the Snow Leopard as its inspiration, MONDURO 6.0 goes beyond a mountain biking competition, bringing together sport, nature, wildlife conservation and the adventurous spirit of the Himalayas,” an official said.
