Cory Wallace sealed a convincing overall win at the 2013 Genco Mongolia Bike Challenge presented by Orbea with a third stage victory, as Catherine Williamson crossed the line wrapped the leader’s jersey she too has worn since the opening day of racing.
Waiting for the off on Saturday. Photo © Erik Thompson
Stage 7 on Saturday led riders through 86 kilometres with 1,400 metres of climbing as they made their way to a 13th century Gehr Camp. Wallace was the first rider to cross the line, as he’d done on the opening day of racing. The final day wasn’t short of fireworks, with Pau Zamora (Buff-Niner) attacking on the first KOM, taking Wallace (Kona), Antonio Ortiz (Selle SMP) and Jason Sager (Jamis) with him.
The final stage gets underway. Photo © Erik Thompson
The quartet were locked in battle from that point on, with Wallace emerging late in the stage to ride away from the group to take a 50 second victory over Sager. Then result meant the final GC standings remained unchanged with Wallace retaining the Pink Jersey for the second straight year. Ortiz finishes second overall followed by Pau Zamora in third.
In the Women’s category, Sonya Looney (Topeak-Ergon) made a charge midway through the stage to take the second KOM and was able to hold on for victory. Looney’s inspired performance finally broke Catherine Williamson’s stranglehold on both stage wins and the leaders jersey in this year’s race. However, Williamson’s (Bizhub-Energas) unassailable lead held fast as she crossed the line to take the pink jersey. Looney also claimed second on GC with Erin Greene (Endura NZ) third.
Having a wheely good time on the final stage. Photo © Erik Thompson
Maral-erdene Batmunkh, Altansukh Altanzul and Munkhtulga Erdensuren (Genco Tour Team) sealed their win in the team-of-3 Category.
The remaining overall victors include Thomas Vandendaele (Sportsman), Tom Smets (Master 1), Timothy Goulding (Master 2) and Robert Bleeker (Veteran).
The competitors will have a final day in Mongolia tomorrow, where prizes will be awarded, before beginning their journeys home. However, the journey to the 2014 running of the event has already begun, with early bird entries to the race open until September 13, 2013 (this Friday 12 noon CET).
Early bird entries for the MBC 2014 are open now. Photo © Erik Thompson