Solan: The 7th Edition of the Tour de Sanawar MTB XCO wrapped up on Sunday, November 1, 2026, bringing high-stakes cross-country mountain biking and fierce competition to the historic campus of The Lawrence School, Sanawar.
A record 180 athletes, spanning student squads from across India and open-category competitors, took on the grueling 3-to-6 kilometer circuit winding through the campus’s forested trails. Featuring steep climbs, sharp switchbacks, and up to 200 meters of vertical ascent per lap, the course tested the grit and technical handling of every rider.
The event carried deep historical roots, echoing a legendary 1977 expedition where Sanawar students and teachers pedaled single-speed bicycles 3,000 kilometers from the school to Kanyakumari. Today, the race translates that legacy of endurance into a modern premier competition backed by title partner Hero Cycles, Hartex, Radkaat, Gopal Sweets, and the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Response Force.
Delegations from premier institutions—including The Lawrence School in Ooty, Bhavan Vidyalaya in Chandigarh, Auckland House School in Shimla, and a 72-strong home squad—competed fiercely across multiple age and skill divisions.
The championship culminated in a grand awards ceremony at Khetarpal Stadium, presided over by retired Justice Rajive Bhalla and Old Sanawarian Society President-Elect Vikas Kohli. Winners shared a 3-lakh rupee prize pool featuring cash rewards, performance bikes, and gear. Notable podium finishes included Urmi Bhatt of Sanawar in Junior Girls, Aadira of Bhavan Vidyalaya in Senior Girls, and champions Surbhi, Ayam, and Ashwin in the Open and Amateur categories. Special honors went to Shiresh Bisht for the Hartex Extreme X Shield Cup, 12-year-old Kaarik Sharma as Most Promising Rider, 10-year-old Agastya Patil as the youngest competitor, and 57-year-old Sanjeev Kapoor as the oldest.
The high-voltage event also featured a gravity-defying stunt show by four-time MTB world-record holder Lakshay Jangir. School Headmaster Ruchi Pradhan Datta and Vikas Kohli praised the competitors, noting that the championship continues to strengthen youth outdoor education, resilience, and a lifelong passion for cycling.
