The reigning champion of the Tour of Nilgiris (TfN), Nils Eigil Bradtberg from Denmark opines that TfN is an extraordinary event conducted by dedicated organisers who have a service motive, and they have been conducting the event in India for the 11th year and with that, have popularised the cycling scene in the country.

Speaking to SOM, Nils said that Champion riders like Kiran Kumar Raju, current India MTB champion and Naveen John, former India Road Champion, are taking part in the TfN and this helps the young participants to learn from them and other experienced riders like Alexi Grewal (an Indian American to win an Olympic medal in Road Cycling in 1984 — he took part in 2017 and is back again this year).

Nils started professional cycling in Denmark in 2012, when he won a 140km Road Race and won the event. The win inspired him to take up to cycling professionally and he later on participated in cycling events in Denmark, Europe and Thailand.

The 34-year-old has been taking part in the TfN from 2013. He was introduced to TfN by a                               Bengaluru-based friend. TfN gives the participant a chance to explore the nature along with competing in the event. Nils has won the Overall Championship in TfN for five years and has won the Kalhatti Climb three times.

He lauds the TfN’s initiative in sponsoring two upcoming riders from Mysuru, Vyshak and Vinay to take part in this edition of the cycle expedition which began from Mysuru this morning.

During the tour, the cyclists will pedal through Hassan, Kushalnagar, Sultan Bathery, Ooty, Kalpetta and return to Mysuru to complete the tour.