2017 was the eighth edition of the Mongolia Bike Challenge which has now established itself as a ‘bucket list’ race for international mountain bike stage racers. What makes this race so epic? And why do athletes travel from far and wide to compete in such an obscure and remote part of the world? Having completed […]
Mongolia Bike Challenge stages 5 and 6: Legends crowned!
With an incessant, pounding rain in the Nomad ger camp in Mongolia the night before stage 5 much of the bunch were feeling apprehensive about this shorter but very difficult stage. The rain added an extra element of stress to what was already shaping up to be a brutal and decisive stage in this years […]
Mongolia Bike Challenge stages 3 & 4. Into the Wilderness!
Stages 3 and 4 of Mongolia Bike Challenge 2017 have now been run and won. With plenty of drama taking place over the past 2 days we now have a change in leadership for both the women’s and the men’s category. I last wrote reporting on the ‘queen stage’ of this year’s race, however now […]
Mongolia Bike Challenge Stage 2 – Steppe Suffering
Stage 2 of the Mongolia Bike Challenge for 2017 was dubbed the ‘Queen stage’ for this year’s edition. Indicating that it is regarded as the most difficult of the race. Upon conversation with riders everyone fully agrees that they hope dearly there is no stage more difficult than today! Day two in Mongolia Many broken […]
Mongolia Bike Challenge Stage 1- Report. Out of Ulan Bator
After a preparation day in the Mongolian capital Ulan Bator riders for the 2017 Mongolia Bike Challenge were today greeted with the first day of racing in this 6 day stage race across the Mongolian steppe. This year marks the 8th running of the MBC and race director Willy Mulonia states this is shaping up […]
Bike Check: Justin Morris’ Norco Revolver set for Mongolia Bike Challenge
The Mongolia Bike Challenge gets underway in the nations capital Ulaan Batar this Sunday. This race is a unique affair for most MTB stage racers. Hence, a few modifications to my trusty Norco Revolver FS have been made in preparation for the 6 day, 700km stage race across the tundra of the Mongolian Steppe. Rider: […]
Preparing for the Mongolia Bike Challenge
With less than 3 weeks to go until the beginning of the 2017 Mongolia Bike Challenge the 108 riders who have signed up will be starting to think seriously about how they have or have not prepared for this race. The profile for this year’s edition has taken on a different look to years past […]
Why Race The Mongolia Bike Challenge?
Next month will mark the 7th occurrence of what is fast becoming a cornerstone of the international marathon mountain bike stage race calendar. The Mongolia Bike Challenge was first held in 2010 and spanned 10 days and over 1400km and was won by Italian’s Marzio Deho and Allania Vassechi. The race has since been shortened to […]
Port to Port stage 4: The Beach Finale!
The final stage of the Port to Port aptly wrapped up today in the Port city of Newcastle just north of Sydney. Famous for it’s coal port and steelworks, the strong working class heritage of this town has forged many a strong athlete over the years including 2nd place at this year’s MTB XCO national […]
Port to Port stage 3: The ‘Queen’ stage
After a day up and down the mountains of the Hunter Valley yesterday, riders would have no respite today with the longest stage of the race on the menu including a lap of the world class Awaba singletrack and an epic climb up to the slopes of Mount Faulk. Last night riders and spectators alike […]