Mongolia Bike Challenge

Downpour on Day 1

Mongolia Bike Challenge / 31.07.2012

It was an epic start to the 2012 Mongolia Bike Challenge presented by Orbea as the skies opened and the downpour began.

A front group quickly formed, keeping their exposure as they headed into the Mongolian countryside on what quickly became muddy double track. Team Kona looked strong from the start with Barry Wicks, Kris Sneddon, and last year´s runner-up, Cory Wallace, included in the lead group.

Carter Hovey of Team MBC Racing powered by Orbea-SMP and Paul Zamora of Team Buff International were part of this group with Marcel Hagener of Chiru-WTB also in the mix.

The two Mongolian National Team riders, Altansuk Altanzhul and Tuguldur ¨Tugu¨ Tuulkhangai (runner-up 2010) also looked very strong from the beginning. By the second rest stop at 65 kilometers the group had separated with Team Kona and Zamora opening at two minute gap.

In a sprint finish, it was Cory Wallace first, followed by teammate Kris Sneddon and then Zamora. Wicks finished a strong forth, followed by Hovey and Tugu.

Racers are now clean and rested, getting used to camp life, and hoping for sunnier skies in the stages ahead.

The MBC Experience: by Ryan Leech

An opening day of rain transformed a technically easy stage into a black diamond challenge-pay attention or slide out!

Each kilometre was loaded with speed scrubbing mud and pedalling downhill was often essential. Any extra bodily energy was used to maintain body heat, but extra energy was scarce. "This wasn´t in the brochure" one racer told me; however, having such an intense first day to set the body´s baseline of expectations will translate into an energetic nitro boost when the weather clears, and the local nomads are signalling for sunshine!

Another racer told me; "I don´t know why I do it", I invite you to stay tuned as I interview racers about that question and more, and also for my perspectives on racer and event morale. This is going to be an incredible 10 days!

Go to the next page to see the Day One Video.