RAJ KUMAR - Nepali National Team Candidate

Raj Kumar is one of the young and upcoming Mountain bikers in Nepal. He’s fast, fun loving and friendly and many younger riders aspire to ride like him. Shy at first, once you get to know him, you will soon see the appeal of this charismatic kid who can fly down hills like a monsoon torrents and ride up them faster than you can on your motor bike! Early on he struggled financially and overcame many obstacles to buy his first mountain bike 6 years ago, now he is considered as one of the top four riders in Nepal and very rarely finishes off the podium. At just 21 years of age, he has limitless scope to become a true champion of the future, with the right sponsorship and training, he can go a long way.

Raj Kumar’s favorite race moment came this year when, two days after pulling a muscle in his leg & battling stomach cramps early in the race, he out witted and out rode his competitors on the tough technical race course to win the 2nd Annual Laxmi Cares Mountain Bike Race in Chovar, Kathmandu. That race defined his determined character.

Presently Raj Kumar works as a mechanic for Biking First in Kathmandu. Of course his main hobby is mountain biking but he also likes listening to music and anything to do with cycling. Raj Kumar aspires to be an internationally competitive rider and has aims to do well in Yak Attack and gain sponsorship to race overseas in 2011.

AJAY PANDIT CHHETRI - Nepali National Team Candidate

At only 22 Ajay Pandit Chhetri is already a perfect role model for the young riders. He first started mountain biking at the age of 15, training and racing on borrowed bikes and through hard work and determination has recently been crowned Nepal's National MTB champion.

Ajay has been working as a cycle mechanic at Dawn till Dusk, Kathmandu for nearly 4 years, and his pleasant and helpful nature coupled with his bike skills means that he is also a valuable asset when accompanying various cycle tours for the same company.

Ajay is one of only 2 riders to compete in every Yak Attack and his tenacity finally paid off last year, when he claimed the winners spot, despite crashing badly on the last day. In the previous year Ajay had forsaken any chance of a podium placing when he stopped on the last stage to help another rider that had crashed and needed attention.

Ajay is hoping to become the first rider to win Yak Attack twice, but ultimately has his sights set on the Asian Mountain Bike Championships in November 2011 and desperately wants to be able to compete on an international level. Follow Ajay on Facebook.

NARAYAN GOPAL MAHARJAN - Nepali National Team Candidate

Narayan began his passion for cycling at 18 and has gone from strength to strength to become one of the most consistent mountain bikers in Nepal and one of the top three riders.

Originally hailing from the hills of Dhading district, he now lives in Kathmandu with his mother and father and works as a screen printer to support his family. Narayan is renowned for his hard training and stamina on a bike. The unmarried biker spends his spare time hanging out with friends and watching movies. Shy at first, once you get to know Narayan you will soon discover his good nature and helpful ways. Supporting his family, working and maintaining his training schedule is a fine balance and a continuing financial struggle for the young rider.

2010 was his first Yak Attack and he is immensely looking forward to the next challenge. One of the highlights of his career came this year in the 1st Kathmandu Bike Station Mountain Bike Madness Race in Kathmandu where he managed to tackle the extremely muddy and technical five laps course to finish in second place. Narayan hopes to compete overseas and has already represented his country in Bangladesh in the 2010 South Asian Games.

RAJEEV RAI - Nepali National Team Candidate

Rajeev is a young and has a dynamic personality on and off the bike. This full time mountain bike guide began riding in 2004. He was impressed when his school mate Santosh returned to the village riding a mountain bike and displayed tricks and riding style and thus inspired young Rajeev to take up mountain biking. He began his biking career at Nepal Mountain Bike and now works both as a freelance guide and for Alternative Nepal an adventure travel company owned by his brother.

Rajeev’s favourite mountain biking moment came in the 2008 TAAN mountain bike race, when at the age of 20, Rajeev beat stronger and more senior and experienced riders to win his first mountain bike race in Nepal. That was one of his proudest moments to stand on the podium knowing he had beat professional riders with much more experience than himself. Since then Rajeev has trained hard and continued to race but lack of funding and sponsorship has prevented him from racing internationally.

Rajeev has an immense passion for both mountain biking and Nepal and wants to do as much as he can to promote mountain biking both professional and for tourism in Nepal. His ultimate goal is to gain as much race experience as possible and dreams of competing in the Asian Mountain Bike Championships in 2011 and eventually using his experience to go on and become a mountain bike coach for future generations of Nepalese Riders

AAYMAN TAMANG

Aayman began riding at the age of 15. Don’t let his small stature deceive you, this tiny boy is a power pack on a mountain bike. Fast sprints, solid climbing, long stamina and brilliant technical skills make him the best young rider in Nepal. Now at 17 years old, many people consider Aayman to be a champion of the future. His friendly and helpful personality make him well liked. This will be his first Yak Attack and first ever stage race and Aayman wants to compete in this race to gain experience of what it’s like to ride against international riders and also to test his own skill and stamina against the mountains. So far Aayman has competed in four races at the junior level for the outstanding results of 2 seconds and 2 firsts. His very favorite race moment was in Pokhara College mountain bike race in July 2010 when he won for the very first time. The race was fast paced and furious and Aayman having his first taste of victory will be a moment he will never forget. Stills studying at school, Aayman hopes to have a long and big future in cycling with his ultimate dream is to be a professional cyclist and compete overseas. He sees Yak Attack as his chance to compete against international riders and learn skills which will help him achieve his dream. A is a one of the many bright stars for the future of mountain biking in Nepal and we sincerely hope he gains the sponsorship to race in Yak Attack.

SUNIL SHRESTHA

Sunil began his passion for mountain biking in 2004 as a way to stay fit healthy and as a means of transport, from there his passion grew and he took up work as a Mountain Bike guide and began training and racing. Sunil’s favourite race moments came when he won second place in Eco Challenge in 2006/07, a team race which involves running, biking and kayaking.

Sunil has always wanted to enter the Yak Attack race but due to lack of funding, a suitable bike and equipment he has not been able to participate in the past. He wants to enter the race as he sees Yak Attack as the ultimate mountain bike challenge, a test of strength and skill that he really wants to do. He has good experience at altitude having completed the circuit and a number of Tibet tours on mountain bike. Winning Yak Attack is one of his dreams.

Into the future Sunil plans to be a role model for young riders and is already training young boys from Nepal’s NGO foundation Prisoners Assist to be mountain bike guides and to participate in races. He is a hard worker and rides and trains most days of the week with his group of young riders.

PADAM SABENHANG

At the age of 24, Padam is one of the most consistent riders in Nepal and has had great race success not only in Nepal but in other Asian Countries. He is a strong rider who is suited to long tough stage races and has no problems with the tough terrain associated with the Himalayas. Highlights of his career include winning Yak Attack in 2009, 2008 Hercules Himachal Stage Race Winner and winning the 9th Nepal National Championships. Padam has also represented his country twice at an international Level in the Asian Mountain Bike Championships in 2009 and 2010.

Padam works hard in his family owned local bike shop and manages his training around running the shop. Padam is recovering from injury which meant he could not compete in Yak Attack 2010 and had to pull out of this year’s Himachal Race, but now he is back in good form, and hoping to find the right sponsorship to enable him to take on his rivals in 2011 Yak Attack, hoping to be the first Nepali to win the race twice.

SANTOSH RAI

Santosh has been mountain biking for more than 10 years and his riding/racing career has taken him to Spain, Italy and Israel where he won 11 races in the sports/elite category. He has also raced extensively in Nepal coming second place in the Nepal 2006 second National Championships and he was also selected to represent Nepal in Asian Mountain Bike Championships. This will be his second attempt at Yak Attack.

Santosh hails from a remote area of Nepal and the first time he tried cycling he felt that this sport gave him a special feeling of independence and empowerment. He learnt to be a guide and a mechanic working in Nepal and Europe. On returning to Nepal he wants nothing more than to use his skills and knowledge to promote mountain biking as tourism and a sport in his own country and help as much as he can to support young riders.