TAWANG, Nov 9: The sixth edition of MONDURO, Tawang's premier high-altitude mountain biking event, was officially flagged off on Monday, bringing together adventure sports enthusiasts from India and abroad for a challenging ride across the rugged Himalayan terrain.
Titled “MONDURO 6.0 – The Ghost of the Mountains,” this year's edition is dedicated to the elusive snow leopard, popularly known as the mysterious spirit of the Himalayas, highlighting the themes of wildlife conservation, environmental awareness and adventure tourism.
Tawang Deputy Commissioner Namgyal Angmo inaugurated the event in the presence of Superintendent of Police Tasi Darang, Zilla Parishad Members Sonam Norzin (Tawang) and Tenzin Monpa (Kitpi), heads of departments and district officials.
Addressing the gathering, Angmo appreciated the Tawang Cycling Association (TCA) for organising six consecutive editions of MONDURO and promoting adventure sports in the district. She said the event had helped place Tawang on the mountain biking map and encouraged participants to demonstrate true sportsmanship while giving priority to safety and proper acclimatisation to the challenging high-altitude conditions of Tawang.
TCA president Adv Sangey Tsering briefed the dignitaries on the event's format, trail routes and participating riders. He reaffirmed the association's commitment to promoting mountain biking, encouraging youth participation in adventure sports and showcasing Tawang's potential as an international adventure tourism destination.
He also acknowledged the leadership of Chief Minister Pema Khandu for providing the impetus to MONDURO's growth into an internationally recognised sporting event.
Following the formal flag-off ceremony, the participating cyclists took part in a celebratory ride through Tawang town to mark the commencement of the event.
Around 25 riders, including three international participants from the United Kingdom, Nepal and Indonesia, are expected to compete in three categories — Men Elite, Hardtail and Women.
The main competitive races will be held on November 13 and 14, covering approximately 22 km across two challenging mountain stages.
The first stage on November 13 will cover 12 km along the Lama Zhabshey–Kalyenbu–Methang–Tsu Tsey–Khinmey route, while the second stage on November 14 will cover 10 km through Kimileng Tse–Chumin–Gromling–Dobley Tse–Gyagong Nunnery–Mandrelling–Drekhang.
The two-day competition is expected to test the participants' endurance, technical skills and mental resilience as they negotiate rugged trails and demanding high-altitude conditions.
Over the years, MONDURO has emerged as a prominent adventure sporting event in the region, attracting cyclists from different parts of the country and abroad. Its continued growth has also highlighted Tawang's potential as a destination for adventure sports and sustainable tourism.
The sixth edition is supported by the Department of Tourism, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, as the title sponsor, with RiteBite Max Protein, Glucon-D and NAC as sponsors and Spokehub as the official technical partner. The partners are supporting the event through timing infrastructure, course marshaling and specialised nutrition for athletes.
With the snow leopard as its central theme, MONDURO 6.0 seeks to combine competitive cycling with wildlife conservation and environmental awareness, while showcasing the adventurous spirit and natural beauty of the Eastern Himalayas.