Taiwan KOM Challenge 2014 Press Release

Now is the time of the year, to register for the amazing KOM Challenge 2014 which will be held in November.I will not be attending the event this year,but I highly recommend to do it.

Please read the review from last year here.

Climbing Experience to the Extreme

Official Press Release for the TAIWAN KOM CHALLENGE 2014

Brought to you by the Taiwan Travel Bureau & the Taiwan Cyclist Federation

Event Date & Time: November 15th 2014

Total Prize Money: $2,410,000 (New Taiwan dollars, equivalent to over $80,000 US)

Statement:

One Million New Taiwan Dollars for Overall Men’s Winner, Increased Prizes for the Women’s Race, and New Anti-Doping Policy Introduced 

The Taiwan Travel Bureau in association with the Taiwan Cyclist Federation is proud to announce the details of the eagerly anticipated 2014 Taiwan KOM Challenge.

They are also thrilled to announce the participation of the 2009 women’s Tour de France winner and four-time British champion Emma Pooley in the 2014 event.

This year’s race sees a massive increase in the prize money on offer and a zero tolerance drug policy introduced, the first of its kind in Asia.

Now in its third year, the Taiwan KOM Challenge has established itself as Asia’s premier hill climb event and as the toughest of its kind in the world. The 105km route travels from the eastern coastal town of Hualien, starting at sea level, and rises along its route to the roof of Taiwan, up on HeHuan Mountain at 3,375 meters.

The course takes the participants up at an average 7% through the breathtaking Taroko Gorge to the 97km point at Dayuling, and then rises up over its remaining kilometers to a maximum incline of 27%, averaging at 17% for the final 8 kilometers. 

The mountain dwarfs anything that North America and Europe have to offer, making the Taiwan KOM Challenge truly a once in a lifetime experience.

Spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, oxygen-depleted air and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment wait to greet those who finish the ride within the 6 and a half hour time limit. Last year’s winner Rhaim Emami of Iran completed the race in an astonishing 3 hours and 26 seconds from the official timed start, which begins after the 18km of neutralised riding.

In the past professional riders of the caliber of Jeremy Roy of Francaise des Jeux, Anthony Charteau of Europcar and Tiffany Cromwell of Specialized-lululemon have taken part in the event, a tradition which continues this year with the participation of Giro d’Italia Femminile KOM winner Emma Pooley. The organisers are also in talks with other top professionals, the details of which will be released later. 

Prize money this year will total to 2,410,000 New Taiwan dollars ($80,000US), with NT$1,000,000 (US$33,376) going to the overall winner of the men’s event. Cash prizes will go down to the 6th rider over the line, with NT$1,750,000 in total available for the men.

Recognizing the growing interest on the women’s side of the sport and eager to encourage more women to ride the Taiwan KOM Challenge, the TTB and the TCF are offering NT$200,000 ($6,675US) for the first female rider over the line. Similar to the men, cash prizes are available to the top 6 riders. In total there will be NT$440,000 ($15,000US) on offer for the women’s race. 

After much discussion, the organisers of the Taiwan KOM Challenge 2014 have decided to implement drug testing for the top 6 riders and reserve the right to randomly test any other participant.

Furthermore, any rider with a previous record of doping will not be allowed to compete in the race. This decision was not taken lightly and is one that the Taiwan Cyclist Federation feels reflects the current climate in world cycling and is one that will encourage fairness. 

The testing will be carried out by the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee and the tests will be analysed at a laboratory in Japan. 

Registration for the event officially opens on the 15th of September, and can be accessed at http://www.taiwankom.org/.

Press and online media enquiries can be sent to leerodgers202@gmail.com.

Links to videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65_ncpaYnvg (KOM video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c5M_Nw5A0w (Charteau interview)

Have fun and get SaddleDrunk

CYCLIST LEGS: SHAVE OR NOT TO SHAVE?

Tiffany signing my leg.

Before departing for my recent Journey the KOM TAiwan Challenge 2013,I have decided to shave only one leg.

The reason behind was that I wanted to try the new born baby feel in my legs.

At first when I was shaving with the razor,I thought it was going to be ok,but afterward I was not happy at all for it.

My legs during the event obviously were noticed, people wanted to take photos of them because they seemed really strange.

My legs.

Therefore I will give a full explanation of the reason why I did this on a later date.But now please fill in the survey that I have created regarding the cyclist legs.

https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/E6BVBz

Thank You

FLABBERGASTED by TAIWAN

Definition of Flabbergasted is "Informal overcome with astonishment". This is what my short Trip to Taiwan (thanks to the Taiwan Cycling Federation) has left in me.

Amused by the immense mountains, by the warmth of the people, the deep blue waters of the coast line, the delicious cuisine, made me think all the way back on a 15 hours journey back to London that I am looking forward to go back to Taiwan. It is strange for me to say this due to the fact I have visited 55 countries around the world and on the way to reach 100 (sometimes in my life time),but this remote Island in the South China Sea has completely deserved the name given by the Portuguese colonies in the past to call it "Formosa", which it means beautiful island.

Night Market.

Yin Chih Wang,Adam Semple,Andy Von Bergen(Cycling Tips Australia),Craig Symons enjoying a game at the night market.

Glasses could be wear with no lenses,it is the new trend in Asia.

In Taiwan you can cycle anywhere,you can use your own bike,or take one of the city bike to move around.They are great and cheap. To all you people, I have discovered that cycling is the best way to see the world starting from the busy cities to the open empty fields.Forget the sticky public transport,the queues and the rucking( rugby terminology,Packed crowd of people) to get on them.

We got lost while training.

From scooters at the front,cycling in the middle,and airplanes at the back.

MTB star Cory Wallace and TK from Japan,next to the red spotted shirts.

Cyclist can ride all this climbs in Europe, Stelvio,Mortirolo,Zoncolan and many others that have made history in cycling, and you felt proud to achieve the top.You felt like the Pro when you reach the summit,but this KOM Taiwan Challenge up the Taroko Gorge is for real the tougher.

Sun Moon Lake Bike Ride with Pro

Last Sunday we had an early start,due to the fact we had to take part at the Bike Ride with Pro organised by TCF around Sun Moon Lake. The ride was only of 30km around the lake with sharp hills and twists...all along the lake's coastal road.

Tourist boats awaiting passengers

Sunrise by the lake with Simon Clarke & Tiffany Cromwell.

During this ride we had a chance to admire and blend in with different sort of riders.From the lookalike professional and the rider with a cassette stereo in the handlebar.

For us it was a sort of push hard and pull harder,it means we wanted to get going fast to finish it.The group was formed by myself and Bota Grego,and the 3 stars of the event Taiwanese Pro RIder Yin Chih Wang,(watch out for him,he will be soon in Europe),Simon Clarke and Tiffany Cromwell.

You can click here to have a look at the profile

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/403306695

My self riding with Simon & Tiffany.

me by the lake.

For me was a good way to say good by to Taiwan,before travelling back to Taipei for my departure on Monday.

Another great view.

We had some lunch on the way back to Taipei and a little toilet break.

Then when we got to Taipei we went out for a night walk into town for a bit of shopping and admiring the city.After a quick shower and dinner at the hotel where we had an amazing food we headed to the night market.

Dog's trolley

Sashimi

Having a massage

Saturday Race Day to the beast Climb...

We all been talking about it behind the stage,first comers and non, about this astonishing event that will take us from the lovely beach of Haulien to the top of Wu Ling via the Taroko Gorge Road. Wu Ling is also known in the past as ski resort where during the climb you can see in the distance remains of the lifts, and also previous to that as military training camp.

The Taroko Gorge road it is considered to be one of the most dangerous road in the world, in fact the safest time to cycle through there it is during the KOM Taiwan Challenge.

2012 Champion John Ebsen having breakfast on the bike,3 jam sandwiches.

Elite and Invited riders on the way from Hotel to the Start,0530am.

Sunrise by the Start Line.

Traditional Aboriginal Dance.

The start was given by the official and as the riders clipped on,the competition atmosphere was growing like a new born baby.The peloton rode together controlled by the race commissaire for the first 18km with average speed of nearly 40km/h.At the turning point from the main road to the infamous continuos 54.7 miles climb the elite riders decide to take the lead with a fast pace,and setting the pace for the rest of us to choose if we wanted to stay in the game.

Views while cycling.

Another one.

The race evolved in different ways at the front,with the predominant power from Iranian Team RTS-Santic which they achieved the first two positions in the podium,with remaining step of the podium taking by the raising Taiwanese Cilmber Yin Chih Wang,considered to be the strongest Asian Climber.

Few more challenges along the route.

Nearly to the top,3200 m.s.l.

The last 500 metres,variety of solutions were taken in consideration to the reach the finish line.

A well deserved support to a finisher by a friend to the amazing achievement.

Amazing views on the other side of the Mountain

It is Movember for Tiffany Cromwell enjoying dinner with a bunch of friends after the race.

The Elite riders and the Invited riders enjoyed the amazing challenge, all agreed to be one of the most toughest challenges in the world.Personally I will come back.

No words to comment about this event,but emotions,feelings and personal achievements can only be remember by those participants.