Srinagar, July 14 (JKNS): Following the successful inaugural season in 2025, the Zabarvan Legends Series (ZLS), India’s premier downhill mountain biking championship, will return this October with three new venues across Ladakh, Sikkim, and Pune (Maharashtra).
The championship made a strong debut last year with races in Gulmarg (Jammu & Kashmir), Shillong (Meghalaya), and Guwahati (Assam), attracting over 30 riders from India and abroad. The field included some of the sport’s most accomplished athletes, led by Australia’s Samuel Hill, eight-time UCI Downhill World Champion, alongside competitors from Brazil, the Czech Republic, Iran, Nepal, Indonesia and other nations.
Brazil’s Douglas Vieira claimed the inaugural Zabarvan Legends Series championship after consistently strong performances across all three rounds. He was followed by Samuel Hill (Australia), Matej Charvat (Czech Republic), and Hossein Zanjanian (Iran). The Gulmarg round, staged on the slopes beneath the Gulmarg Gondola, was broadcast live to a global audience and remains available on the official Zabarvan YouTube channel.
Building on the success of the inaugural event, organisers had intended to return to Gulmarg in 2026 and establish the destination as a permanent fixture on the championship calendar.
However, despite extensive planning, the Gulmarg round will not take place this season. According to the organisers, delays in administrative coordination meant that the necessary approvals could not be completed before registrations for the 2026 championship opened, making it impractical to include the venue in this year’s calendar.
The organisers expressed their disappointment, noting that the inaugural race demonstrated Gulmarg’s exceptional potential as a summer and autumn mountain biking destination, complementing its international reputation as one of Asia’s premier winter sports destinations. They remain committed to returning the championship to Gulmarg in future editions once the required approvals can be secured in time.
The 2026 championship will instead introduce three new venues that showcase the diversity of India’s mountain landscapes. From the forests of Sikkim (8th – 11th october) to the high-altitude terrain of Ladakh (14th – 18th oct) and the rugged trails of Pune (22nd – 25th oct), the series continues its mission of bringing world-class downhill mountain biking to new regions while expanding India’s presence on the international gravity racing calendar.
With leading riders from across India and overseas expected to compete, the Zabarvan Legends Series continues to establish itself as South Asia’s leading downhill mountain biking championship while promoting adventure tourism, athlete development, and sustainable mountain sports across the country.
The event is under the aegis of CFI (Cycling federation of India) and is currently being supported by the Span Foundation and Beenest media.
Registration details, race dates, and the complete list of participating athletes will be announced in the coming weeks. (JKNS)
