Now reporting on the 12th day of racing, the finish line is becoming busier with each passing day. Riders arrive from what we hope has been the adventure of a lifetime through the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. On the final loop, riders skirt around Karakol, passing just by the finish before being sent once more into the wilds. The route follows the Karkara river along the Kazakh border and out into the striking Eshkilitash valley before returning at last to Karakol via Chon pass (3860m).

It’s a huge mountain to climb, though the gradient is kind, and if they glance back over their shoulders, they’ll see a wall of jagged, snow-capped peaks etched against the sky. It’s here that we meet many of our riders, cresting the final pass before the descent toward Karakol.

We also hear from our women's podium of Leanne Bentley, Sami Sauri and Meaghan Hackinen.

Riders featured in this episode:

• Jono Elliott — Cap 99
• Ciaran Lundy — Cap 305A
• Carlotta Schumacher — Cap 31
• Felipe Duque — Cap 70
• Stephen Hurdley — Cap 183
• Niels Ihrman — Cap 143
• Leanne Bentley — Cap 116
• Sami Sauri — Cap 174
• Meaghan Hackinen — Cap 132

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Production and hosting by Mel Webb

Sound design by Ben Crannell

Music by Batyrkan

Cover image by Stephen Shelesky

Thanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex, Tailfin, Styrkr and Julbo. 

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