Race Preview: Rumble in the Jungle – Sri Lanka

Rumble in the Jungle is the latest in a series of mountain bike stage races organised by TheYakAttack, the team behind YakAttack- Nepal, the highest mountain bike race on earth.

Rumble in the Jungle takes place in Sri Lanka and will be the first international mountain bike race to ever be held on the island. Sri Lanka is situated just 400 miles north of the equator and is one of the world’s 25 biodiversity hotspots.

The 4 day stage race takes riders from the tropical lowlands and jungles at only 100m above sea level, through mountain hugging tea plantations, across the islands highest plateau, before finishing at the cultural capital of Kandy, a city steeped in history and home to the world famous Temple of the Tooth. The final day of the race package will see riders transported from Kandy, back to the coastal resort of Negombo, via a scenic train journey, for an end of race prize giving ceremony and beach party.

The race is being title sponsored by the islands national carrier, Sri Lanka Airlines who are keen to promote the island as a destination for adventure seekers as well as sun worshippers, with a wide array of activities available, including whitewater rafting, surfing, scuba diving, trekking and of course, mountain biking.

With an overall prize fund of $20,000 the race has attracted some big name riders including Ismael Ventura (Spain), Yuki Ikeda (Japan), Ajay Pandit Chhetri (Nepal), Sonya Ewonus (USA), Kirsten Kogler (Germany), Myriam Saugy(Switzerland) and Sonia Lopes (Portugal). The race has also attracted a large international field of riders looking for adventure rather than glory, taking advantage of the opportunity to ride through areas rarely frequented by everyday tourism.

Rider numbers have been capped at 50 for the first year and this will include 6 Sri Lankan riders who have been invited by TheYakAttack to participate in the race, all of whom will be taking part in an international mountain bike race for the first time. As part of TheYakAttack initiative the top placing male and female Sri Lanka riders will also be offered places to compete in in Yak Attack–Nepal.

More information on www.theyakattack.com/srilanka

Words & Pictures: Rumble in the Jungle PR

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