Day Zero at the Mongolia Bike Challenge

… didn’t start as planned, really. After the massive trip to Ulaanbaatar via Hong Kong, Martin woke up with a massive migrane and the onset of a flu – thanks to room mate and fellow Aussie Alex Malone, he got some medicine locally and in combination with some sleep Martin was able to attend the rider briefing. So after a stomach bug in 2016, this year’s challenge will be to fend off the flu. Racers from 22 countries  had assembled at the Bayangol Hotel in Ulaanbaatar to pick up his race plate #58.

Racing in his capacity as official owayo ambassador 2018 for our new custom clothing sponsor, Martin is also a member of the MBC Crew for 2018 – he will be the event MC and manage the prize ceremonies every day and will be a rider representative throughout the event. He will also be supporting the Race Founder, Willy Mulonia with organisational tasks and feed race information and interviews back to the Sydney-based Communications Office of the 2018 Mongolia Bike Challenge, which happens to be located at Rocky Trail HQ! Juliane Wisata will handle the Communications during the race, provide daily race reports and distribute the “Daily Chronicles” – via newsletter and website out into the world.

What lies ahead?

In total, over 600 km and more than 9,300 metres of climbing lie ahead and the first stage will be a marathon from Ulaanbaatar to the Geo Mandal Ger Camp in the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, where the event will be based for two nights. After the second day, which will mark the  “Queen Stage” with the most elevation to cover and with start and finish at the Ger Camp, the race will head towards Tuul River with a very remote stage finish. Stage four will take the event to Steppe Nomad Ger Camp, South West of the Capital for a short, reovery time trial on day five. For the grand finale the racers will arrive at the majestic XIII Century Ger Palace on day six.

 

> Follow the daily race Chronicles on the MBC Website here

 

Event Highlights (c) MBC

 

Gallery from Day Zero – Ulaanbaatar

Mongolia, land of the mighty Ghengis Khan.
Stage plan – six stages, 610 km, 9,340 vm.

Race plate handed over by the race founder, Willy Mulonia.
Staff action.
Fighting the man flu.
2018 field of racers.
Racers and supporters represent 22 countries.
And while Papa is getting ready to race, the Rocky Trail crew back home is enjoying some winter sunshine on two wheels too.