Bentang Jawa Organiser's Wrap Up

The Podium Is Complete - Some Words From The Organisers

Day 3 - Organiser's Update

Day 2 Organiser’s Recap

Day 1 Recap from Bentang Jawa

All good things must come to an end, and not all tales ended as fairy tales.

And so Bentang Jawa 2023 officially ended at 17.30 WIB yesterday.

68 riders officially finished Bentang Jawa. General classification and 6 riders completed as NC.

#bj3cap13 reached the finish line well before cut off time, but lost his brevet card somewhere between Ranu Pani and Banyuwangi, he is awarded NC Finish category for his perseverance and determination especially after his recovery from last year's accident.

#bj3cap59 and #bj3cap81 fought hard to reach finished line, but didn’t make it just in time, likewise they are awarded as NC.

In our heart and mind they are Bentang Jawa finishers.

As of now 6 NC riders are still on the road, trying to complete the course while still following the rules, to them chapeau!

To all riders completed, completing and withdrawing from the route, the label in their name is just a status assigned, and by no means a reflection of their intent and state of mind.

Regardless their race status, achievement and intent. The 116 riders who started in Carita on windy dawn of August 12th is forever part of our small and beloved Bentang Jawa family.

Photo by we.inframe

Speaking of pairs, our first pair across the line was Nika Pranata and Whira Rachman (#bj3cap120 and #bj3cap121). The first pair to arrived in Banyuwangi wrapped up in 112 hours. 

Leading the race for much of the course, the pair maintain a close lead against the next pair, Natasha Capirossi and Christian Alvin Edison.

Organiser's Comments:

"Always full of smile and laugh, we congratulate the pair for a fair race!"

## Pizza Party

That's a wrap the race is over! All the dots are off the map, the non-competitive riders are either finished, headed home or making their way to the finish.

The racers and organising team celebrated an exciting 3rd edition of Bentang Jawa with pizza and smiles!

Congratulations to the team and all the riders from BJ23!

Bentang Jawa Wrap Up - Pairs

EDITED 19/08/23

Anita Fiutami is the first woman at Bentang Jawa 2023!

We have our two first women in. 
[
Natasha Capirossi](https://www.instagram.com/natashacapirossi/) came in around 6 hours ago, becoming this year's women's winner of Bentang Jawa. [Anita Fiutami](https://www.instagram.com/anitafiu/) then pulled in only 2 hours later, with a finish time of just under 125 hours.

Natasha was riding in a pair with Christian Alvin Edison, this means Anita is our 2023 women's winner of Bentang Jawa. 

Photo by we.inframe

Natasha and Anita Are IN!

## Thopa Syaibani took 2nd place with a time of 89:38 hours!

His entrance to the race was not an easy one. After being unable to secure the spot as part of selection lottery, he managed to join the race as our partner athlete. Whilst always modest when being asked what is his target (top 5) his riding style started to make a ripple at the front line as he took the night ride initiative.

He booked a place in many of his dotwatchers as the documentation team captured him praying using thermal blanket in the freezing cold of Ranu Pane.

After arriving the 2nd at CP2 and continue to maintain this position until finish. Enjoy your rest and well earned place Thopa, hope to see you more!

## Jefri Irawan concluded the podium as 3rd place with a time of 91:03 hours.

With the other young guns at front field, Jefri trade blows often, frequently overtaking riders at front him at the least expected moment.

While entering CP2 at 4th place he took over the 3rd position just before Jemplang main climb and maintain this lead until finish.

Impressive and entertaining performance!

Photo by @we.inframe


Boru McCullagh wins the third edition of Bentand Jawa  

Words from the organiser:

"He completed the race in 84:58 hours, besting previous Bentang Jawa records!

Leading the race since day one, his easy going, friendly and warm interaction with people online and offline endear him dearly to Indonesian dotwatcher communities.

But thats only part of the story as his intense yet relaxed riding style, nutrition and resting strategies, perhaps hones after his thousands of kilometres touring and his background as cycling coach fire the race and his competitors like no others, pushing them to deliver their best.

Congratulations buddy, thank you for joining this little adventure and showing us a great race! Surely you will always have a home in Bentang Jawa family"

photo by we.inframe

Boru Wins Bentang Jawa 3!

What are today big questions ?

When will #bj3cap15 reach finish point at Banyuwangi? And will the race record be broken again?

It seems now it has been taken for granted that he will be crowned BJ23 champ, despite there is still Bromo ahead, with all its majestic and mysteries. And it goes without saying the 5 “young guns” chasing relentlessly behind, trading blows and swapping position often.

At the ladies field, #bj3cap10 pushed relentlessly, making sizeable gap against 2nd and 3rd ladies, but again with biggest climb ahead it remains to be seen whether this status will continue.

On the less positive note. The scorching sun, crazy head winds and warm temperature continue to wreak havoc! We lost 9 riders - declaring scratches, with medical and physical being the main reasons, brought to a total of 16 SCR and 5 NC.

Many of riders who survived CP1 are now hanging on a thin thread as they lagged behind their plan. So while there is still 2 days left until CP2 closure, historically people who haven't reached Kebumen city will face uphill battles tomorrow.

Expect more drama on CP2

Photo by [we.inframe](https://www.instagram.com/we.inframe/)

Day 2 Recap

It's the day of infamy, so to speak.

Five riders decided to scratch, including #bj3cap17 whom after breaking his RD at km200 were forced spent the entire night to bring his bike to nearest big city and back, sleeping only 2hrs before starting early and missed Cikembang section. He did returned and repeat the section, climbed towards Kiara Dua before deciding to scratch.

The other scratched riders are cap 25,55,78 and 98.

At the CP1, #bj3cap10 was the first female riders to check and currently holding commanding lead against the rest of field. Pair #bi3cap120 and 121 were first to enter but hold only slim margin against the next.

At front #bj3cap15 continue his lead with his unique racing style, with no less than 5 riders juggling themselves trying to catch him
But drama happened at all front. While the body count is still ongoing, it is now accepted that the hot and scorching sun have had an adverse impact to dozen of rider missed out the CP1 cut off time, with pair G #bj3cap116 and 117 were the last to arrive just one minute shy of the deadline.

While many will continue as NC (non competitive rider) completing the route ad per rules, with no CoT limitation, few will take the night to think and consider. If they decided to go, there is no doubt that fellow Bentang Jawa riders greet them at the finish line.

Its been a crazy day. There was no such thing as calm and peaceful start.

Right after the imaginary gun popped, the racers push their pedal hard, creating sizeable gap with the rest of field.

Not far off from the start, #bj3cap25 (who is 2nd female) had an accident involving a motorcycle, after inspection by the medic and considering the damaged condition of the bike, she decided to scratch. A wise decision and we hope to see more of her in BJN events.

The combined parkour of BJ1 and BJ2 apparently wrought havoc on the mid and end field, with as of midnight there are still riders walking down Cikembang gravel section.

As it stands now, many riders decided to push through the night to make sure they reach CP1 before ita closure, such a waste of sight really, because between Pelabuhan Ratu and Ranca Buaya are series of most exotic and beautiful places in West Java. Another consideration, was traversing this section of the road is hazardous, considering less than perfect (much less to be honest) road surface. Already #bj3cap34 has to scratch after a broken wheelset.

Just as we thought the end of day is coming closed, #bj3cap15 arrived at CP1 shortly before midnight, hence breaking previous records, while #bj3cap14 is on the night pursuit, passing through #bj3cap122 dan #bj3cap92 who held 2nd and 3rd for much of the day.

What a day! As CP1 closing tomorrow, we will see more stories from middle and end of the pack. Stay tuned!

Photo by [we.inframe](https://www.instagram.com/we.inframe/)

Photo by [Rifki Akbar](https://www.instagram.com/en.journal/)

__Bentang Jawa__ is a race that is the culmination of an exciting year of the Indonesian Audax scene. A growing community of ultra-distance racers came together for the first edition in 2021. Since then, the two editions have been an exciting jet from one end of the Jawa Island to the other. The defining feature of Bentang Jawa is the significant and intense climbs located along the route. The 16,000m of climbing is not spread across the distance evenly, rather there are three huge climbs and around 7 less significant ones with the remainder of the ride flattening out. This will be an important place to keep an eye on the dots, the strongest climbers may have an advantage during these sections.

<iframe src="https://ridewithgps.com/embeds?type=route&id=37840131&metricUnits=true&sampleGraph=true" style="width: 1px; min-width: 100%; height: 700px; border: none;" scrolling="no"></iframe>

The race sees riders coming from all over the area to pit themselves against the 1500km route, but since year 2021 the same winner, Dzaki Wardana, has remained victorious. This year, Dzaki isn't attending and it's all to play for.

The organisers are ultra-distance runners and cyclists and have made sure to capture the excitement of the race from the first edition with photos from their media partners. This have been a highlight of the race and add so much depth to the adventure. Night riding, post-crash slings, excited faces and tired riders bring to life just how difficult this race is. Make sure you see these on the [Bentang Jawa](https://www.instagram.com/bentangjawa/) Instagram.

Finally, the weather, it should be looking around 33 degrees celcius with some intense humidity. But, at this time of year, if it rains the riders may have to either slow right down or find shelter to wait out the heavy stuff!

## Organiser's Thoughts

Its a beautiful sunny Saturday, where the air is lighter, the mood is brighter, hug and love generously hang over dozens of riders who gather at the Riders Village.

This year, 116 riders picked up their starter pack, including 14 female riders (thats 40% increase compared to last year) and 11 athlete of various nationalities.

Few riders are looking like a pro, while many are just like your ordinary weekend warrior, and as people lining up to get their last proper and civilized dinner (for at least the next week) we sort of wonder and amazed by the beauty of our sports that manage to gather athlete from such diverse background in one place, to tackle amazing adventure ahead.

While today maybe the perfect day to say hello and rekindle friendship build over past and upcoming hardship, tomorrow friendship aside, everyone will be in the midst of their own struggle, inching forward the bright sunrise and what might be the hottest season in Bentang Jawa short history.

Welcome to Bentang Jawa

Kitty Dennis

Once again, we return to the tropical Jawa Islands to follow the Indonesian Audax scene in their crown event, Bentang Jawa. Without the 2x reigning champion returning, it'll be an exciting race with a new winner crowned.

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Bentang Jawa 2023

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