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

[WrightJnr]

who, is the "billionaire backer " ?

Jeremy Ord I believe.

[Swart Kat]

And now some people gave up their Epic entries for The Munga, so now they wont be racing either.......

[DIPSLICK]

My 2c

When entering multistage races( everyone is different) my entry fee is normally the cheapest part

 

Again READ this is how I do it, logic says there are other who think/do it the same

 

Firstly I make a mini holiday out of it for the wife and kids, so accommodation at a comfortable B&B

 

FLIGHTS,

 

Example We have a standard way of doing sani 2 c B&B along the way for 3/4 couples, stay a few extra days at the coast, maybe fly back, car rental,

Massages, spares,supplements, and and and

 

Then you haven't even done the MATHS of training, I would imagine some SERIAAAS miles were clocked by people training for this event, for pros some possible income events may have been cancelled due to many reasons, costs ,conflicting of training ,

 

Then let's try do the MATHS of the international contestants,

 

Personally if my entry fee was paid back I can only imagine it wouldn't come close to the cash outlay it would have cost me if I thought of entering,

 

Taking the above into consideration I can't see part #2 taking off as repaying entry fee wouldn't come close to most peoples costs/expenses

[kellyllek]

I thought it was a joke when it first came out. But then Alex, who I hear has a good reputation, was interviewed on the Last Aid Station MTB radio podcast with Mark Stover. I don't remember all the details but he sure implied that the Munga was for real, that funding was secured, and that a pair of riders would most definitely be winning the big money. He also said they were having to limit entry to 450 to keep a good experience for everyone. He made it sound like they were overwhelmed with interest. Having had a chance (all be it very remote) of racing I have been consumed with the idea of it. I just can't imagine pretending this was a go when it wasn't. Though I also know how easy it is to get carried away with enthusiasm. 

I got suggestions to step back and prepare for it next year. But I gotta say, though I believed it was a go this year, I didn't really think it would be sponsor or entry sustainable and I imagined it'd be a one-off event. Right now it's looking more like a non-event. 

[kosmonooit]

http://youtu.be/9vQaVIoEjOM

[VicanZA]

Think this is a sign, the SA economy is not in good shape and most stage races have been milking us, could this be the start of the end for stage racing? At 2k a day for the standard 3 day events have sold like hot cakes, I don't see this being sustainable, the 3 years I've being doing this the top end bikes are up by 40%.

 

It's time this bubble pops. Some of us need to go back to golf.

[Pieterg]

Why don't they make it a Adventure and drop the price to R6500 ,I would't love to ride !!!

[mazambaan]

"Billionaires" seem quite stingy when it comes to actually putting up cash    . The Alonso road cycling team comes to mind

[Lurch the stalker]

"Billionaires" seem quite stingy when it comes to actually putting up cash 

I suppose that is how they became billionaires to begin with...not parting with their money

[nickelass]

Think this is a sign, the SA economy is not in good shape and most stage races have been milking us, could this be the start of the end for stage racing? At 2k a day for the standard 3 day events have sold like hot cakes, I don't see this being sustainable, the 3 years I've being doing this the top end bikes are up by 40%. It's time this bubble pops. Some of us need to go back to golf.

[Skubarra]

Think this is a sign, the SA economy is not in good shape and most stage races have been milking us, could this be the start of the end for stage racing? At 2k a day for the standard 3 day events have sold like hot cakes, I don't see this being sustainable, the 3 years I've being doing this the top end bikes are up by 40%. It's time this bubble pops. Some of us need to go back to golf.

 

I think your stretching it a bit.... Just because someone struggle to get a R100k race of the ground doesn't mean all the R10K per team stage races won't make it. You can't blame the whole economy every time a new idea doesn't quite sell.

 

Tell someone trying to get an entry for Sani2C or W2W the end of stage racing is near...

Edited October 15, 2014 by Skubarra

[Eldron]

Now this is a real pity.

 

The downside of dreaming big I suppose.

 

The pros and cons are debatable but I for one enjoy the "big dreamers". Hell if it wasn't for dreaming big we wouldn't have put a man on the moon, wouldn't be drinking coffee or enjoying the massive offering that is stage racing in SA!

[Tumbleweed]

Now this is a real pity.

 

The downside of dreaming big I suppose.

 

The pros and cons are debatable but I for one enjoy the "big dreamers". Hell if it wasn't for dreaming big we wouldn't have put a man on the moon, wouldn't be drinking coffee or enjoying the massive offering that is stage racing in SA!

Hear hear!

[nonky]

This race really interested me and it's a big shame that it didn't get off the ground in 2014. 

Whatever your view on the prize money, route etc, it would've been GREAT to watch / follow guys from different disciplines hammering each other across the sweltering Karoo.

I honestly hope the organisers sort their problems out and we see 2015's race...

[walkerr]

This race really interested me and it's a big shame that it didn't get off the ground in 2014. 

Whatever your view on the prize money, route etc, it would've been GREAT to watch / follow guys from different disciplines hammering each other across the sweltering Karoo.

I honestly hope the organisers sort their problems out and we see 2015's race...

 

Honestly I can't see it - maybe there are 20 to 50 teams that could have a chance at winning this thing. But if you need 450 for it to work, what's in it for the other 400 or so?

 

It's 4 times longer than Baviaans, and 3 times longer than 36One - but the cost per person of those is R1k to R1.5k depending on your team size. For that small sum you get bragging rights, great scenery and awesome support and a ride. If it really was 'The Toughest Race on Earth' then I'd agree with the extra bragging rights - but 1,000 on gravel might be up there with some of the tough ones, but I don't see how it's tougher than them. Again, if you're racing for the money, that is sure as hell going to be tough - but for everyone else just aiming to finish who also shelled out the same $5k to be there? I'm less convinced.

Edited October 15, 2014 by walkerr

[Wyatt Earp]

Honestly I can't see it - maybe there are 20 to 50 teams that could have a chance at winning this thing. But if you need 450 for it to work, what's in it for the other 400 or so?

 

It's 4 times longer than Baviaans, and 3 times longer than 36One - but the cost per person of those is R1k to R1.5k depending on your team size. For that small sum you get bragging rights, great scenery and awesome support and a ride. If it really was 'The Toughest Race on Earth' then I'd agree with the extra bragging rights - but 1,000 on gravel might be up there with some of the tough ones, but I don't see how it's tougher than them. Again, if you're racing for the money, that is sure as hell going to be tough - but for everyone else just aiming to finish who also shelled out the same $5k to be there? I'm less convinced.

The nature of a race like this.

Only the real hard men and ladies will enter (unless it's a media sponsor or someone wins an entry)

All the athletes that get there will be tough characters, unless some super wealthy individual thinks he is going there for fun.

Everyone seems to speculate and look at "names" and thinking this or that guy will win it.

This is a long way to ride, nobody can assure that they WILL and CAN win it.

 

There is a breaking point for every human, the guys who have the longest stretch in that regard with a little bit of leg speed will end up winning this.

Also it's a partner race and if one partner decides he or she just "can't go no more" it's all over.

I have seen the strongest athletes turn in to the biggest quitters when they can't handle the pressure mentally.

The body hurts, the bum hurts and every small hill becomes a massive mountain and the desire to carry on just fades more and more.

 

This is the hurt locker, the legs are cramping, the neck is in spasm, you get headaches and start hallucinating, the emotions hit an all time high, can you carry on and will you carry on ?

That is the question that needs to be asked, and that tipping point will and can happen at different times, not both riders will feel like that at exactly the same moment.

 

That is when the athlete realises he or she went out way too hard, pushed way too much in the beginning and should have ridden at a slightly lower, and more consistent pace, soft pedalling with forward motion is what they would need.

 

The point I am trying to make really, it could actually be anyones race.

Edited October 15, 2014 by Wyatt Earp