Top 4 upcoming mountain bike stage races in the Asia-Pacific region

If you are searching for something epic that involves cycling, competition, awesome nature and adventure, you might want to consider these four races:

1.Crocodile Trophy

It is probably the most famous Mountain bike stage race in Australia.
When: 17.-25.10.2015
Where: Cairns, Australia
Stages: 9 over 770km, 17,000m of elevation
Costs: Entry: USD 3,183 (entry fee, accommodation, luggage support, food)

Pros: Organized by Germans so it only can be very organized, timely and structured, good prize money, terrain looks amazing and adventurous
Cons: Very expensive

 2. Mongolia Bike Challenge

 

When: 21.08-30.08.2015
Where: Ulaan Bataar, Mongolia
Stages: 7 over 856km, 12,346m of elevation
Costs: USD 1964.00 (entry fee, accommodation, luggage support, food)

Pros: Looks like the toughest of all four races with the most spectacular scenery

Cons: Very expensive and a lot of logistics involved

3. Tour de Timor

When: 13.09-17.09.2015
Where: Timor de Leste
Stages: 5 over 395km, 8272m of elevation
Costs: USD 600 (entry fee, accommodation, luggage transport, food)

Pros: reasonably priced, discounted airfare tickets, beautiful, hilly terrain, good cause
Cons: None really

4. Simpson Desert Challenge
 

When: 29.09-03.10.2015
Where: Purni Bore, Australia
Stages: 10 over 570km
Costs: USD 473 (entry fee, accommodation, luggage transport, food)

Pros:truly an adventurous experience in the desert
Cons: Need fatbike, takes a day or two to get to start of race, tough to train for (sandy conditions, heat), need support crew (which can be arranged by race director)