Two Oyu Tolgoi teams, a total of six cyclists, successfully participated in the ‘Mongolia Bike Challenge 2013’, in early September. They competed with 108 cyclists from 23 countries around the world. We interviewed Munkhchuluun Tsogtoo, graphic designer in the Communications and Media Relations department of Oyu Tolgoi and member of the Oyu Tolgoi team.
How was the Mongolia Bike Challenge for you?
This was an important competition of international scale, a tough challenge competing against nature and weather. That’s why it is called a challenge. Some of the athletes could not finish the race; they were not able to overcome all the challenges. This is proof of how tough and challenging the race was.
How long was the race and where did the race take place?
The opening day for the race was held at the Chinggis Khaan statue at Tsonjin Boldog on 31 August. The race started from the Chinggis Khan statue on 1 September and finished seven days later at the 13th century village in Erdene soum of Central province on Sept 7.
Did the cyclists race in categories?
The race was broken up into seven categories: Professional athletes, Sportsmen from 18-32 years, Master-1 from 33-42 years, Master-2 from 43-49, seniors over 50 years, women and tandem. This year a team category was added. Ten teams each with three members participated in this category. Each athlete raced seven times and covered a total distance of 850 km over seven days. The distances of the stages varied, the first day was 120 km, the next day was 125 km, the sixth day was 170 km.
What countries did the 108 athletes come from?
Athletes representing Japan, Holland, South Korea, Canada, China, Russia, USA, Italy, England, Australia and New Zealand took part in the race and this made the race very interesting. Mountian biking is a developed as a sport in these countries.
The race must have been very challenging, some athletes didn’t make it to the finish. Was it a difficult race for you?
Yes, it was not easy. On the first day, we had to ride 120 km. Although, the climate was favorable, there were many steep climbs and sometimes I had to get off and push my bike up the very steep hills. I got so jealous when my rivals passed me. Also at times I was disappointed with myself when I raced poorly compared to my other team members.
Which athletes raced for the Oyu Tolgoi team?
The Oyu Tolgoi team included Ivan Vella, Oyu Tolgoi vice president of Procurement and Infrastructure Development; Justin Carey, general manager Finance; David Bettie, senior project manager; two professional cyclists from Australia and me.
Did you have good weather for the race?
For the first two days the weather was relatively good and then on the third day it rained and was very cold. The rain caused the trails and roads to become very muddy and it was really difficult to race. The rain also caused the rivers levels to rise and they became impassable for both the athletes and the race organisers, so racing that day had to be called off. We returned back back along the race course in the rain and cold to a nomad family ger’s. They welcomed us and we were able to stay warm be their fires until vehicles were arrange to take us, and our bikes, to our camp at the stage finish. We had been wet all day and slept that night in gers and tens with poor heating. I think a day of being wet and cold was a big challege for some riders.
Did you have any problems during the race?
On last day, after 87 km of racing, and only 3 km to go until the finish line, the cable on the gear shaft of my bike broke. It happened while I was cycling up a mountain so I had to get off and push my bike up the top. From there I had to cycle to the finish line using only the hardest gear. But I was able to make it to the finish line, because I had a good bike.
What brand of bike did you ride in the race?
I rode a Specialized Epic 29
How did you go in the race?
The Oyu Tolgoi team won 4th place and I personally took 5th place in the category of sportsman 18-32 years. Overall, from everyone who took part in the race, I was placed 40th. I want to thank our colleagues, family and the race team who supported us in achieving this success.
Congratulations on achieving 5th place after covering hundreds of kilometers, over seven days, under difficult weather conditions.
Yes, it is not a bad result. I am happy to have achieved this result in a difficult mountain bike race against professional and well-trained amateur athletes. Now I can proudly say to others that I am bike rider.
How did you train for the race?
I trained for only three months. When I told this to the professional athletes in the race, who had raced for many years, they were very surprised. Some of them had been training for the race for a year.
How does someone with a full-time job train for such a race?
I used to get up at four and five o’clock in the morning and train before work. On the weekends I would go to Terelj to train. During the Naadam holiday, we trained for five days straight in the same area as where the race was organised. Training is also difficult, while I was training I sometimes fell and caused damage to my knees and elbows. Training is hard during winter, spring and autumn as the Mongolian climate is harsh.
Have you ever raced before?
This year, I have participated in two races, the Mongolia Challenge and back in May. I took 3rd place in the Electric Transport Company race of about 40 cyclists.
What area of Mongolia are you from? Tell us about yourself and your family?
I’m a native son of Erdenet. I graduated high school there and then graduated from the Production Technology and Design school of the Mongolian University of Science and Technology. After my second course at university, I began to work as a layout designer for Sogoo Nuur, Menics Design and Shinryo Prints. I began to working at Oyu Tolgoi in 2011. I am the youngest of two sons. My dad has worked as a repairman at the Erdenet concentrator for almost 20 years. My mom is a housewife. My wife is a mechanical engineer and now she is at home taking care of our three year old son.
You must have been cycling since an early age, considering that you took part in an important international competition?
Can you believe that I just learned how to ride a bike right before I began working at Oyu Tolgoi? Can you imagine that I couldn’t ride a bike even after I bought one? So you see, my experience with cycling is really quite short!
Wow. That’s hard to believe. We always see you riding your bike to work. What bike do you ride?
It is a bike made in China. However, it is not a bad bike.
What is the price range of a good quality bike?
The price of a racing bike is above 5 million MNT. Professional cyclists bikes easily reach 20 million MNT. Some foreigners who took part in this recent race had bikes that range from 15-16 thousand dollars. This means, a good bike can cost more than some low grade jeeps.
What do you think are the most important qualites of a cyclist?
Cycling requires power, stamina and the correct assessment of one’s own condition and those of your rivals. Efficient training, good diet and rest are very important. However, the most important quality is patience.
Can you tell us about your future goals?
I have set a firm goal to take part in a roadbike race and achieve the status of professional sportsman next year.
B.Batbileg
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.