Myanmar’s first night mountain bike race

The third round of the year-long Cycle and Make a Difference Charity Series sponsored by Myan Shwe Pyi Tractors  is taking place this weekend in Mandalay, kicking off on Friday, March 27, with the first nighttime mountain bike race ever organized in Myanmar. The race consisted of 10 laps of a fast 5km (3 mile) course, contested by relay teams consisting of 3 to 5 riders each. The rules stipulated that no rider could do more than two consecutive laps before handing off to a teammate. Eleven teams participated.

My technical skills as a photographer are not quite up to the task of capturing fast-moving cyclists in low-light conditions, but below are some of the less-blurred shots I managed to get.

Cyclists prepare to plunge into the dark countryside around Yankin Hill in Mandalay.

Teammates solve some lighting issues.

Cyclists speed into the exchange area after completing a couple of laps.

Recovering after a hard effort.

One of the three-man teams celebrates after finishing the race.

Representatives of the top three teams get their medals.

Young girls from the national sports training center in Nay Pyi Taw.