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      Mahendragiri to Host 23rd National Mountain Bike Cycling Championship This October

      The Cycling Federation of India (CFI) has officially announced that the 23rd Senior, Junior, and Sub-Junior National Mountain Bike (MTB) Cycling Championships will take place from October 1–4, 2026, at the scenic Mahendragiri in Odisha. Managed by the Odisha Cycling Association, the national event will bring together top off-road cyclists from across the country.

      Event Schedule and Logistics

      Organizers will provide boarding and lodging for registered contingents, with check-in starting September 29 and check-out set for the afternoon of October 5. The host committee will manage local transportation from Palasa Railway Station and Palasa Bus Stand in neighboring Andhra Pradesh. Participating state teams and boards are required to submit arrival details by September 20 to ensure seamless transit.

      Diverse Competition Lineup

      The upcoming national championship features a comprehensive list of events catering to multiple age categories, spanning both men’s and women’s divisions:
      • Elite Men & Women (19+ yrs) / Under-23: Time Trial (XCT), Cross Country Mass Start (XCO), Downhill (demonstration trial), Cross Country Eliminator (XCE), and the Elite & U-23 Team Relay (XCR).
      • Juniors (17–18 yrs) & Sub-Juniors (15–16 yrs): XCT, XCO, and a combined Junior/Sub-Junior Team Relay (XCR).
      • Youth (14 yrs & below): Time Trial (XCT) and Cross Country Mass Start (XCO).
      Exact course lengths may be adjusted depending on local circuit conditions. Yet, the federation promises a rigorous test of speed, endurance, and technical handling across all categories.

      Strict Registration, Licensing, and Integrity Protocols

      The CFI has established strict guidelines regarding entries and compliance:
      • Registration Deadlines: All official team entries and the names of up to two accompanying team managers must be submitted by September 15. Accompanying managers will attend an orientation and training seminar organized by the federation prior to the races.
      • Mandatory Rider Licenses: All cyclists must possess a valid 2026 CFI rider license. Applications must be consolidated. Submission is strictly through authorized State, Union Territory, or Board Secretaries via official email channels by September 15. Late applications risk rejection or a ₹2,000 penalty fee upon CFI approval. CFI explicitly warned that direct submissions or individual payments from riders will not be accepted.
      • Anti-Doping Compliance: To maintain competitive integrity, officials from the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) will conduct random dope testing throughout the competition. CFI directives explicitly urge state bodies to ensure athletes remain strictly clear of banned substances.
      With the registration window closing on September 15, state bodies are preparing to send their strongest squads to Odisha. As this is one of the highlight events on India’s 2026 domestic cycling calendar.

      Results from Previous Edition

      The 22nd MTB Championship was held in Arunachal Pradesh in February 2026.
      Khushiman Gharti, Tsewang Norboo and Shiven were the strongest three riders amongst the Elite Men. While Star Narzary, Pranita Soman and Manali Ratnoji were the top guns amongst the Women Elite.
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