Events

The Munga Postponed – World’s toughest race faces a tough challenge

· By Press Office · 205 comments

The Munga, a 1000km, single-stage mountain bike race is disappointed to announce that its inaugural race, set for 3 December 2014 across the Karoo in South Africa, has been postponed.

“The Munga offers more than just a race, it’s a test against the toughest of external elements – and today we face one of the race’s toughest challenges, having to postpone the event to 2015, as one of our key investors has withdrawn,” says Alex Harris, renowned explorer, athlete, founder of Xplore Authentic Experiences and Race Director of The Munga.

“The vision of The Munga remains clear; to create a global platform where we completely challenge the norm and format of endurance racing and the individuals’ perception of what is possible. Given the integrity of our brand and partners, we have taken the decision to postpone the race to 2015 with immediate effect.

“The amount of local and global interest in The Munga has been phenomenal and we are so excited and honoured to be at the forefront of making endurance and mountain bike racing history,” concludes Harris.

“The Munga Dream has not changed and is just getting stronger”.

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Comments

Mousea

Oct 14, 2014, 7:58 AM

Not surprised at all

Skylark

Oct 14, 2014, 8:01 AM

So obviously not enough entries?

Pure Savage

Oct 14, 2014, 8:02 AM

If they were serious about their "dream" drop the full on retard entry fee and get it done. Bunch of nansy pansies.

nathrix

Oct 14, 2014, 8:03 AM

I was so looking forward to watching this in the comfort of my couch to watch everyone bleed!

Shebeen

Oct 14, 2014, 8:05 AM

ok. whoops. get ready for the pitchforks

KENDA

Oct 14, 2014, 8:06 AM

Sorry guys, I had to with draw my sponsorship. I'm buying myself a Epic S-works :ninja:

Shebeen

Oct 14, 2014, 8:06 AM

would love to know how many actual entries they have currently. like full on paid up ones.

jcmeyerSS

Oct 14, 2014, 8:09 AM

pretty vague???

Rudi Pollard

Oct 14, 2014, 8:13 AM

I also think it's a lack of entries that caused this. The idea is to far fetched to get a full field in my opinion...

Master216

Oct 14, 2014, 8:14 AM

would suck if you had been training for it and now this happens!

DieVlieg

Oct 14, 2014, 8:14 AM

Yup the Munga is a race with a limited amount of people that can actually win it. You have to be a good cyclist and then you have to be tough mentally and then you need to be able to dig into that dark place to be a contender.

 

For the price-tag you are not even offered a memorable experience ore some comfort just the badge and sense of accomplishment that says, I have done this. I do not even think there will be something spectacular about the route as it is all about covering as much distance in as little time as possible.

 

The race is a flippen good idea but the prize money required the entry fee to be too high and the amount of entrants needed to be too many as well. 

 

I'd rather go for a decent prize get more media involved and attract more people and land a sponsor that will be happy to pay for the coverage and participation generated by the event.

 

I hope this happens would like to see what it takes to win this race

Shebeen

Oct 14, 2014, 8:21 AM

good thing they capped the entry limit, less people to refund now. - https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/140536-the-munga-mountain-bike-race-adds-team-entry-limit/

jcza

Oct 14, 2014, 8:25 AM

Great idea but totally overpriced. How can you possibly justify R110k per team?

walkerr

Oct 14, 2014, 8:27 AM

I'm an endurance rider myself (road rather than MTB). A lot of mates asked me why I wasn't entering and it was hard to define.

 

Definitely the high entry fee was off-putting, but it went deeper than that. I'd have no hope of winning it, in fact I'd most likely be a back marker. Again, that's no issue for me, it's how I like riding. Also, there was still some prize money drawn for one lucky finishing team not in the elite. So why not?

 

And there's my problem - the money is the problem. I ride with buddies for fun. My day job is about money. When I get on a bike I want to get away from that stress. I certainly don't want to spend a few days losing a good friend I'm riding with because either I can't keep up, or he can't, and the pressure of not being in for that big prize draw is too great.

 

I get the big prize fund for Pro riders capable of winning this - other jobs have the ability to earn big, so why not MTB riding if that is your career. But how many amateur riders will that tempt, where prize money is not a factor in your choice of rides.

 

Just my 10c - bring on the flames!

Ferret69

Oct 14, 2014, 8:37 AM

Piss Poor Form to do this just over 6 weeks out in my opinion, Sure there were Pros like Platt who probably would have been at Cape Pioneer earning some cash this week if they weren't focussing on bringing home the Big bucks at the Munga.

kosmonooit

Oct 14, 2014, 8:39 AM

Good riddance imho

Nancy Drew

Oct 14, 2014, 8:39 AM

would suck if you had been training for it and now this happens!

 

Or you had already applied for leave and booked accommodation, flights etc

GLuvsMtb

Oct 14, 2014, 8:43 AM

It would be interesting to see if the event can recover from this one. My guess is that it is going to die a slow death.

MuddyMike

Oct 14, 2014, 8:43 AM

I am just bummed for my mates who have been training their backsides off and now its gone.....Surely there must of been legal contracts with the backers?

 

I don't see it ever happening now, who will hand over R110k with this history....

RABUBI

Oct 14, 2014, 8:45 AM

Glad I saw this now, just came from the bank manager to approve a loan to pay for the entry....

 

Now I can have my car back..

rouxtjie

Oct 14, 2014, 8:46 AM

Cant say I am surprised...maybe all that talk of the prize money being secured was just that....talk

Stretch

Oct 14, 2014, 8:48 AM

nice little bit of interest they have been earning on those entries that have been paid

Scalpel

Oct 14, 2014, 8:48 AM

Rabubi you do not own a car!! FOKUS boet!! :thumbup:

droo

Oct 14, 2014, 8:50 AM

nice little bit of interest they have been earning on those entries that have been paid

 

:ph34r:

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