Shropshire's hills attract world's top mountain biker Sonam

Live the Adventure, based in Stottesdon, south Shropshire, has brought Sonam, a three-time winner of the world's toughest mountain bike race, the Tour of the Dragon, to Britain to take part in the world's longest running 24-hour mountain bike endurance race.

He'll be using the Shropshire and surrounding countryside to train for a summer of racing.

Mountain Mayhem will take place at Gatcombe Park on June 18 and 19, attracting more than 1,200 competitors.

Sonam is Bhutan's number one cyclist in a country which has fallen in love with the sport after former sovereign King Jigme Singye Wangchuck discovered his own passion for pedal power.

Interest in the stunning mountain kingdom has soared since the recent two-day visit by Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge with an increasing number of tourists keen to explore it by bike.

Ant Eddied-Davies, organiser of Live the Adventure, said: "Following the royal visit which put Bhutan in the global spotlight, we felt it was the right time to help nurture and promote the connection with the UK. Our own personal relationship with Bhutan has been developed over more than 20 years and we consider it a privilege to have this opportunity to support the country's top cyclist at such a prestigious event here in the UK."

Live the Adventure is the UK marketing partner for Tour of the Dragon as well as a race sponsor. The company also took the first UK rider across to compete in the 2014 race.

Mr Eddies-Davies said: "Cycling is big in Bhutan but many of its sportsman struggle to get the financial backing to compete outside the country.

"This will be a first but hopefully will lead to other similar trips for Sonam and other athletes."

Clee Cycles have loaned a bike to Sonam while he's in the UK and owner Andy Jones said he's looking forward to seeing how he copes.

Mr Jones said: "I did Mountain Mayhem a few years ago, never again."

His Tour of the Dragon victories have earned Sonam the nickname "Son of the Dragon". He has also won another well known Himalayan bike race called the Yak Attack.

Patrick Adams, race organiser at Mountain Mayhem, said they were thrilled that Sonam was travelling all the way from Bhutan to take part.

He said: "It is a very strong field with a number of top cyclists but Sonam will be our only international participant and we feel very excited about this addition to the line-up for the 19th annual race.

"We have continued to improve the race over the years always aiming for our best yet and we believe that Sonam and everyone else will make some wonderful Mayhem memories this year."