What's better than riding up the Annapurna's? Riding down them. For 100km straight. With no uphill interruptions. Just down. The Yak Attack is Nepals premier MTB stage race, with 6 days, 240km of mountain trails totaling over 7000m of ascent. So from May 25th to June 3rd competitors will be delighted with the challenge of unrelenting uphill riding that is scheduled for them. 

 "Yak Attack is the only MTB stage race to take place in Nepal and it offers competitors a rare opportunity to ride in the Annapurna region. There aren't many locations around the world where you have to ride uphill for 4 days, followed by a close to 100km of descent," mentions Phil Evans, event organizer. "The route also takes competitors through the deepest gorge on earth, with the trail passing between two 8000m plus mountains," he adds. So, the Yak Attack, as it seems, is not for the faint of heart.

While the near 100km of descent sounds like a whooping great time (we're sure it is) getting to it is another story. "Without a doubt, crossing the Thorong La pass is the stage that everyone fears," mentions Evans. The Thorong La is a summit pass located 5,416 meters (17,769 feet) above sea level and is the face of acute mountain sickness for all adventurists that dabble in the region. It's no surprise that acclimatization is recommended. "We offer a pre race acclimatization ride in the Kathmandu valley that is always useful to start the process of getting the body used to the higher altitudes. Other than that any event that involves lots of climbing would be a useful yard stick to measure whether the legs are up to the challenge!" notes Evans.

"Matt Hart (a former semi pro rider and now fitness consultant) described this stage as the toughest physical thing he had ever done, and to date only 3 non Neplaese riders have completed this stage without assistance. The 1km climb to the top of the pass has to be a contender for one of the slowest race paces ever, taking most competitors an average of 4 hours. Carrying pack and bike into ever diminishing oxygen levels for that amount of time (sometimes through deep snow) can break the toughest of athletes!" Evans admits.

For 2009, riders challenging the Yak Attack will be representing Nepal, England, Ireland, Hong Kong and the USA. Each stage winner receives £100 while the overall winner will receive £500, a modest purse with a lifetime of bragging rights. 

"I have always found that once I've recovered from the rigours of the race, the effects of being acclimatized to the altitude bring massive benefits once home at relative sea level," mentions Evans, hinting at the chance for competitive riders to take advantage of the immense benefits to riding at altitude. Research shows that there is a 6 week window before the body reverts to its pre "altitude" state, so expect some of these riders to be dazzling some of their local hometown races following the Yak Attack.


www.yak-attack.co.uk