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Into the Mountains

Official Report / 09.08.2011

The fifth stage of the Mongolia Bike Challenge, sponsored by ORBEA, is completed. After four days of Gobi Desert and Mongolian Steppe, the race has entered the mountains. Riders enjoyed a totally new landscape with green hills, ghers, yaks, and nomad families cheering them on.

Everyone had overall classification on their minds after four days of racing and a big day of climbing tomorrow. Until the 57 kilometre point, a large front group rode together with no one challenging. Then, Italians Mauro Canale (Bike Cafe') and Leonardo Ambrosi (UBV), along with Canadian, Craig Richey (NOP System/BC Bike Race) and Australian, Rohin Adams (Total Rush) opened a large gap on the rest of the field, realizing Marzio Deho was content to sit with leader Cory Wallace (Kona) in the main group.

Adams and Richey were able to drop Canale on the long, 25 degree climb with just a few kilometres left to the 106 kilometre finish line. After a sprint finish, the results were: Adams (4h02'34"), Richey (4h02'35"), Canale (4h06'52"). Women's overall leader, Melinda Jackson said she had a lot of fun in this stage and suggested everyone in the world makes it to Mongolia one day!

Riders are camped in a beautiful, alpine valley, covered in wildflowers. They will need their rest as tomorrow is the Queen´s Stage.

<b>Stage Stats</b>

Departure:Guchin Us
Arrival:Murui River
Distance:116 km
Daily climb:1000 metros

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