Bentang Jawa Preview

Day 1

We have a winner!

The podium is complete!

## Overview

The second edition of Bentang Jawa will see a highly competitive line up, taller mountains to climb and rougher roads to travel.

### Route

Close to 1500km distance with ovver 16000m but, as is the nature of Java island topology, the climbs will be steeper and tougher  than it actually looks on map.

This year's edition will add two national parks in its parcour, first Ujung Kulon National Park, the home of single horned rhinoceros native to Java Island and the second is Bromo Tengger Semeru one of tallest mountain ranges in Java Island.

With a couple of short and sharp gravel section thrown into recipe, we are looking forward to seeing how the race unravels.

### Weather

The forecast said it's going to be mostly cloudy and windy ride, with possible moderate rain on western leg of the race.

But those who has arrived at the start line already are braced for hot and humid days on the saddle. No wonder local officials called this a wet dry season.

The toughest opponent for the riders will be headwind and crosswinds on 90% of the route. The addition of 2300m mountain peaks to the course will add a logistical conondrum to the riders.


__Bentang Jawa always starts in a humble manner but escalates quickly.__

![298998244 1179980959244264 8659068749508118826 n](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1qnrpuOEYfgqm7UpDF0zim/ca2386d06876c435e0c28dc14595e760/298998244_1179980959244264_8659068749508118826_n.jpg)

The first day saw top 10 riders changes swiftly, but after it settles it looks like last year champion #BJ2cap71 will be the first to reach CP1.

The race opened with several riders receiving time penalties because they missed minor road splits due to using outdated maps.

Today’s highlights are no doubt the Ujung Kulon National Park which reveal riders strength and weaknesses, Sawarna climb which forced riders to climb 400m eg in just 5km and Cikembang gravel section which forced riders to walk their bike. These hard and wonderful sections will be memorable but shows no remorse.

![298901959 1092877528007645 8559682690334430457 n](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1zKDuNozdSKKLMmQ9N4RCz/0acb433527e144f0110ecc9c0849f5e8/298901959_1092877528007645_8559682690334430457_n.jpg)

![299161148 800247688011440 7236242588946541180 n](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4ge3W4ZOEWQ0U0B01Gd6AL/e05c72314f8a6f2157becba7302471c2/299161148_800247688011440_7236242588946541180_n.jpg)

# Scratch Report

#BJ2cap05 experienced technical issues which forced him to spend the night at Sawarna beach while waiting to have it sorted out the next morning.

#BJ2Cap09 scratched from the race due to a shoulder dislocation, we wish him speedy recovery.

#BJ2cap24 missed a major turn and skipped the Cikembang gravel section. Upon realising this mistake he determined to return and redo the missing section, which will mean an 80km return trip from his current location, we wish him good luck.

#BJ2cap14 retired due to broken wheels, a pity given he had given a great fight today. Hopeful that we will see him again in the near future

We can’t wait for what tomorrow will reveal.


Let’s talk about our elephant in the room. Has the Bentang Jawa 2022 podium been decided yet?

After almost 62 hours of racing, #BJ2cap10 admitted he only sleeps for approximately 1 hours and ate a big meal twice. That's pretty mind blowing; not uncommon in the world class ultra cycling world, but probably the first we see in Bentang Jawa. Could the same strategy work on the punishing elevation of majestic Mt. Bromo? We will soon witness this; nevertheless the battle with #BJ2cap42 (currently 2nd) and #BJ2cap71 (currently 3rd) has been very thrilling to watch.

#BJ2cap15 solidified her lead with over 100km space with the 2rd and 3rd female riders, but more importantly she is now firmly on 4th. It is not impossible to hope and imagine she could take one of the podium spots, and if it does, the Mt. Bromo will be a gigantic witness to this amazing feat.

![299674170 600703371565554 428471954774232375 n](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/29fHjO0xCMUzf7pyNXEG3T/1a5902d1dc7121b2f79b9f7af8d9c272/299674170_600703371565554_428471954774232375_n.jpg)

But here is a little secret, the battle also happening at the middle and back of the bunch, mostly within the rider themselves. The 323 KM distance from CP 1 to the next big town Kebumen is flatter compared to earlier parcours, but not easier as it still consists of approximately 2,300m of elevation gain and many small, open, and narrow roads full of weather elements.

![299344323 1015051545857154 593331880874064424 n](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1in2IwDJWQw6IDuaB3xgtu/6d8adaaf4a02b9532020d289fde2450e/299344323_1015051545857154_593331880874064424_n.jpg)

If riders couldn’t reach Kebumen by tonight, they will need to cover the rest of the distance combined with hilly western mountain range and potentially missed CoT.

Wish our riders lots of luck, they will definitely need it.

But, what about the podium?


#BJ2cap71 Dzaki Wardana is the Bentang Jawa 2022 overall and defending champion with a record breaking time of 87:00 hours (3 days 15 hours).

It has been a roller coaster ride for him, after a very strong start and being the 1st rider got into CP1, he faced a tough challenge from #BJ2cap10 and #BJ2cap42, lost some time, overtaken by both and was 150km behind at one point.

He recovered well and attacked the majestic Mt. Bromo with such perseverance that he closed the gap and eventually took the lead just 95km from the finish line, a lead that he maintained all the way to the finish point.

Dzaki dedicated his race and win to his late father.

Congratulations Dzaki for fighting ‘till the end, great sportsmanship, and surely lighting up Bentang Jawa 2022!

There is no doubt that today’s highlights are the epic battle between two riders at the forefront: #BJ2cap10 and #BJ2cap71, which until the last 95 KM of the 1500 KM course was very much undecided.

The majestic Mt. Bromo became a witness how #BJ2cap71 turned a 150 KM deficit into an 80 KM advantage, and eventually, crowned as defending champion of Bentang Jawa 2022.

Though the battle for 1st position has concluded, nothing is settled for the rest of podium yet as #BJ2cap10 shows apparent struggle even as BJ2cap42 crawls up Alas Gumitir.

![299995734 5256692694427345 8461291683471530047 n](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4bJlOHAL8kAtP2HZIQpyA2/8f8c30eea4499d3456ef2cf97d00e0cb/299995734_5256692694427345_8461291683471530047_n.jpg)

#BJ2cap15 is the first female entered CP 2 and is swiftly heading towards Malang as she prepares to tackle Mt. Bromo. With a sizable lead from the next female riders, there is no doubt that she is eyeing to secure Bentang Jawa Top 5.

At the other end of the race, riders are battling and falling here and there, trying to tackle Pracimantoro hills and the climbs out of Pacitan and Ponorogo under scorching August sun. With only a handful of riders has managed to reach Pacitan tonight, riders will have a tough time to meet CP 2 closure time tomorrow.

![299579924 371990225125711 7719171163649002207 n](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5v0pqip7WAIJFg9OfbS4LM/45a1c0c36587483b2739cd7f412a9764/299579924_371990225125711_7719171163649002207_n.jpg)

There is no doubt that Bromo will witness more battles in the next couple of days as riders trickle down through CP2.

Lastly, we lost one of riders as #BJ2cap06 decided to scratch due to severe saddle sore. P.S. When an ultra cyclist claims he/she experiences severe saddle sore, do trust us, you DO NOT want to know the details. We wish him speedy and smooth recovery.

The fight to fill the podium and CP2 time cut

What a feat ! Congratulations #BJ2cap42 Steve Dow for securing 2nd place in Bentang Jawa 2022 with a time of 93 hours and 52 minutes!

His width and depth of experience in endurance sports has brought such a ride that lights up front row competition like no others.

His consistency, sense of humour, and disciplined ride brought colours to otherwise heated competition between the two young guns.

Enjoy your recovery Steve, and have a cold one on us!

![299750219 348067784082719 4482847624824527011 n](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/U65JvpquULQf9nWwFKYez/87a47a1abeceaf921d0e7565d4f43ac2/299750219_348067784082719_4482847624824527011_n.jpg)

Steve Dow takes second place

Big congratulations to #BJ2cap10 Bambang Anggoro Jati for his 3rd place in his first ever participation in Bentang Jawa.

![299968197 556733082818669 8418066677307108756 n](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1XC8drqCrC3slkHlq3TXNh/2865b56ca0c1a52d9039350b46716f2c/299968197_556733082818669_8418066677307108756_n.jpg)

For the past few days, we witnessed how his riding style brought to us the most fun and entertaining race in Bentang Jawa history.

Needless to say, his fighting spirit influenced how the race played out and motivated other riders to push themselves harder than it normally would.

His result is no small feat, like the 1st place rider, his time of 101 hours and 53 minutes also broke the previous race record despite the longer, higher, and tougher route.

![299717628 459272079209055 2059891757749877327 n](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6PWeGOmvzhwiJdA7dH1y00/abbbb8b3505690f8b38f4672eba76265/299717628_459272079209055_2059891757749877327_n.jpg)

We are very proud of what you have achieved and you should be too!!! And it’s a valid reason for some celebration.

Jogja, we are coming!

Back after a stellar inaugural event last year, Bentang Jawa is back as the first unsupported ultra cycling race across Java Island, Indonesia.

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