July 31/12 17:07 pm - Mongolian Challenge: Stage 1 and 2

Posted by Editoress on 07/31/12
 

The 2012 Mongolian Challenge started on Monday in Mongolia.  A number of Canadians are competing in this grueling event,  including defending champion Cory Wallace.

Stage 1 (August 30th): Baatar to Tull River, 119 km, 1630 metres of climbing

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.




Stage 2: Tuul River to Undur Sant uul Maountains, 120 km, 1000 metres of climbing

Racers found their rhythm today during the second stage of the 2012 Mongolia Bike Challenge presented by Orbea. Spirits were high this morning as the weather gods shone brightly on the Tuul River Camp. Today's 120 kilometer course featured rolling grasslands with a number of significant climbs which led to epic green valleys dotted with nomadic herders and their ger (yurt) homesteads.

A large front group was established early consisting of 15 riders. The pack was whittled down to 8 riders by the 50 kilometer marker. This group included stage one winner, Cory Wallace and his Kona teammates Kris Sneddon and Barry Wicks, as well as Pau Zamora (Team Buff), Carter Hovey (Team MBC Racing p/b Orbea-SMP), Mongolian rider Tuguldur Tuulkhangai, and Razif Salleh and Marcel Hagener of Team Chiru-WTB.

After the second rest stop at 90 kilometers, Wallace, Wicks, Sneddon, and Tuulkhangai were able to break away and get a significant gap on the rest of the field. In the end, it was the Mongolian rider, Tuulkhangai, who won the stage, followed by Wicks and Wallace. The sun is still shining at day's end as athletes settle into camp life in the Undur Sant Uul Mountains.