Pune's Cycling Pioneers: Bikaner's Manav Sarda and Mongolia's Sainbayar Defy Odds
In the world of professional cycling, where European and Australasian riders have long dominated the podiums, two unlikely stars have emerged at the Pune Grand Tour, captivating audiences with their remarkable journeys. Manav Sarda, hailing from the bhujia city of Bikaner in Rajasthan, and Jambalhamts Sainbayar from the mountainous, landlocked nation of Mongolia, are breaking stereotypes and setting new benchmarks in a sport that has historically been challenging for Asian athletes.
Overcoming Cultural and Geographical Barriers
Cycling's elite ranks are often filled with riders from Europe, New Zealand, and Australia, making it a tough arena for Asians to penetrate. Despite the presence of pro teams from China, Malaysia, Korea, and Thailand at events like the Pune Grand Tour, factors such as genetics, limited cycling culture, and lack of exposure have hindered Asian success in long road races. However, Sarda and Sainbayar have defied these odds in their unique ways, earning accolades and attention on the international stage.
Jambalhamts Sainbayar: Mongolia's Trailblazer
Jambalhamts Sainbayar, a 29-year-old sprinter from Mongolia, has been a revelation at the UCI 2.2 event in Pune, consistently finishing as the best Asian rider and donning the orange jersey across all three completed stages. Racing professionally for over a decade, he currently rides for Spain's top team, Burgos Burpellet. In a country where sports like wrestling, judo, and pistol shooting dominate, Sainbayar's decision to pursue cycling was groundbreaking.
"Mongolia mostly has just wrestling, judo and pistol shooting. I was the first one to turn professional," says the soft-spoken athlete, who excels in both climbs and sprints. His journey began at a young age, riding a bicycle since he was three and turning pro by 15. After years of racing in Asia, his disciplined approach caught the eye of a Spanish pro team, paving the way for his current success. Despite the dominance of Western riders, with Day 3 honors going to Australian Cameron Scott, Sainbayar remains a rare Asian success story, inspiring a surge in cycling interest back home.
Manav Sarda: Bikaner's Bizzy Biker
On the other hand, Manav Sarda, a young rider from India's Developing squad, has made waves by securing the Blue jersey as the best Indian rider after Stage 2. Hailing from Bikaner, a city known as India's cycling hub, Sarda faced unique challenges. While many cyclists from his Rajasthan city make it to national teams, they typically come from sporty communities like Jatt-Bishnoi. As a Bania, Sarda encountered skepticism and taunts from his community for choosing sports over the traditional family vocation of business.
"I had started cycling because I was a little fat. Bikaner has all these amazing cyclists, but never from my community. And many from my community laughed and taunted me when I said I want to do sport," he recalls. Despite the pressure, with unwavering support from his parents, Sarda pursued his passion, aiming to break stereotypes and celebrate Bikaner's rich biking heritage alongside its famous bhujia. He hopes his success in Pune's inaugural pro race will encourage others from diverse backgrounds to embrace sports.
A Broader Impact on Asian Cycling
The achievements of Sarda and Sainbayar highlight the broader struggles and triumphs of Asian cyclists in a global sport. Teams like China's Li Ning Star often rely on riders from New Zealand or Australia, with few Asian members, underscoring the difficulties in gaining a foothold. Yet, these two athletes have shown that with determination and support, barriers can be overcome. Sainbayar's consistency across various challenges and Sarda's defiance of community norms serve as powerful narratives of resilience and inspiration.
As the Pune Grand Tour continues, their stories remind us that cycling is not just about physical prowess but also about cultural shifts and personal grit. With hopes of international success, both riders aim to make their cities and countries proud, paving the way for future generations of Asian cyclists to pedal their way to glory.
