Sikkim hosts opening leg of international mountain bike series

Sikkim has launched the first leg of the 2026 Zabarvan Extreme Legends Series, an international downhill mountain biking competition held at Rock Garden in the Soreng district. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang flagged off the event, which aims to establish the state as a premier destination for adventure sports and tourism.

The competition featured riders from eight nations, including India, Iran, Australia, Brazil, Italy, the Czech Republic, Taiwan, and Nepal. Notable participants included eight-time mountain bike world champion Samuel Hills and five-time national champion Douglas Vieira.

The Zabarvan Extreme Legends Series is designed to promote downhill mountain biking across various Indian terrains. Following the Sikkim event, the series is scheduled to move to Ladakh and Maharashtra. Local authorities are planning infrastructure improvements, such as road widening and enhanced tourist facilities, to support the growing tourism sector in the Zoom-Salghari region.