South Africa is the stronghold of stage races. In addition to the famous Cape Epic, there are more than 20 other multi-day races in the country. Mountain biking is one of the most popular sports in South Africa. Television coverage is in prime time. But the race that has now been announced sounds almost unbelievable: 1000 kilometres non-stop from Bloemfontein to Stellenbosch, 1 million dollars in prize money.
Yes, you read that right. ONE MILLION DOLLARS. Never before has so much money been paid out at a mountain bike race. Even the prize money for World Cup races is in the modest four-figure range. The race is called "The Munga" and the organisers are extreme sportsman Alex Harris and full-time vehicle designer Michael Griffin. "This prize money is a huge leap for our sport," writes Harris in his press release. The website warns: "Before you sign up, do some soul-searching: this race could change your life, or end it."
The race is scheduled to start on 3 December and will be run in two-team mode. The entry fee per team is said to be 10,000 dollars, which is fuelling scepticism among some: What if the money is transferred but the race doesn't materialise? The press release is silent on how the prize money will be paid. We'll stay tuned. Information and registration: www.themunga.com
