The Raid-de-Himalaya is undoubtedly one of the most toughest motor sports events, giving the hardest test of life one has to survive the ruthless wind storms of Himalaya, beat the unpredictable rainstorm or snowfall, battle against the most arduous and inhospitable terrains and bear the hardship of vehicles often giving in to the vicissitudes of breaking down.
The raid demands endurance, skills, presence of mind, psychic strength, strong physical health and not to forget the magic of luck.
It is definitely not for everyone – racers must have a strong will to cover a gruelling journey of around 2,050 kilometres’, surmount eleven high passes including Taglang la, the second highest motorable road in world and endure an elevation of above 4,000 meters.
The raid also includes the X-treme 2-wheelers category.
One wrong turn of the handlebar, these riders risk falling hundreds of meters down into the valleys.
Riding at break-neck speeds up, down and along the sides of the world’s highest mountain range, they display themselves in this competition, with only one goal in mind, to win the Raid-de-Himalaya.
Giving the boys a run for their money was 39 year old Austrian Klaudia Honeder, the only woman motorbiker in the Raid-de-Himalaya in the X-Treme category, participating for the second time, with a Suzuki DR660, came in 5th in the challenge.