Mongolia Bike
Challenge 2010, an international competition for mountain bikers taking place
for the first time in Asia, was ceremonially flagged off  at Sukhbaatar Square on Sunday.

Co-organized by Mongolia
Expeditions LLC, Italy”s Progetto Avventura Eventi Company, Mongolia”s
Federation of Adventure Sports and Cycling Tours, and Mongolia”s State
Committee of Physical Culture and Sports, the competition has attracted 94
cyclists from Mongolia, the USA, Italy, Spain, Germany, Poland, Switzerland,
Austria, Australia, Czech Republic, Belgium and Hong Kong.

The opening ceremony
began with participants paying tribute to the statue of Chinggis Khaan. This
was followed by speeches from Minister of Environment and Tourism L. Gansukh, Head
of the State Committee of Physical Culture and Sports Ch.Naranbaatar, and Head
of the City”s Administration’s Department of Physical Culture and Sports
J.Ganbold.

The ten-stage events
will take ten days to cover 1,400 km through Dundgobi, Omnogobi, Bayankhongor,
Arkhangai and Ovorkhangai aimags. The winners will be selected in six age
categories.

Many foreign
organizations and companies and Mongolia”s Bodi Daatgal company are sponsoring
the tournament. The TV channels C1 and NTV will cover the participants’
progress. NEWS.mn will also provide up-to-date information.

The prize fund is
worth Euro 15,000, with the winner receiving a Golden Cup worth Euro 5,000.