The race in hindsight - First Pairs!

The race in hindsight - First Female Finisher!

The race in hindsight - First Finisher!

FINISH

DAY 6

DAY 5

DAY 4 and Podium!

DAY 3

DAY 2

DAY 1

Hasabi Aufar and Muhammad Ghanez Athoriq are the first pair finishers of Bentang Jawa 2024.

After riding full throttle on the first day leveraging their brute force and racing instinct obtained from years of riding fixed, and shadowing the race leaders, the pair fell to the end of the front pack, having probably hit their first wall of the race.

Their recovery appears to be gradual, hunting the pair leader by some distance throughout CP2 and CP3.

But the long relative descend from Ranu Pane proved to be a turning point, as Hasabi and Ghanez overtook the pair leader and finished as the first pair of Bentang Jawa 2024

Congratulations Abi & Ghanez!!

We have a new female champion!!!

Charlotte Henrieke Francien Troost is Bentang Jawa 2024 female champion and record breaker with 108 hours and 16 minutes finisher time.

Placing 7th in general classification is the cherry on the top, beating many top male riders.

Charlotte remained at the front for much of the race, exchanging attacks with second place female and the rest of the competitors through the course. The provided dotwatchers with a beautiful race to follow and more undisputed evidence that #femalesarestrongashell!

Congratulations Charlotte!!!

Bentang Jawa has a new champion !!!

After a record breaking race time of 81 hours and 31 minutes, Yusuf Kibar arrived as the first finisher and overall champion of Bentang Jawa 2024.

Despite his relatively new name in the ultra cycling community, his steady yet aggressive racing style earned him respect from his competitors as well as dot watchers alike.

The last 300 KM is such a turning point, in which he took over the riders in front of him, one by one, despite starting the latest from CP3 Ranu Pane.

Congrats Kibar you are Bentang Jawa 2024 Champion !!!

As the race has drawn to a close, we could dive into the Bentang Jawa statistics: how many finishers and DNFs, the distance and elevation gain, the fastest time, the youngest riders and so on and so on.

But statistics do not interest us as much as life lessons, what have we all learned from this week of crazy but humbling adventure?

The kindness of a stranger, the power of perseverance, the virtue of patience, the magical innocence of youth, the comfort of voice and prayer from loved ones, finding the limit of oneself, the value and the fragility of integrity and trust?

Does not matter when and where the rider finished, everyone will go home with some lessons in life, obtained through hardships, joy, success and failures. Some will be remembered and learned, some will unfortunately be ignored and forgotten.

Bentang Jawa 2024 might be remembered as the most challenging, competitive and intense edition of Bentang Jawa ever, at least until the next Bentang Jawa arrives, if ever. 

But if we can choose how we want Bentang Jawa 2024 to be remembered, let that be one that gives us beautiful memories and moments to remember, exciting stories to tell and life lessons to learn.

Until next time.

![ADL00718](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3gaZys37k9eiauM1huSDR0/68480dc7c77c690a74e3853e74450c54/ADL00718.JPG)

![FAH BJ FINISH 5](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2o4RjKIKZRPMzek2MWgQqQ/1e53c63f210c59b92dadb1e00b7bfb38/FAH_BJ_FINISH_5.JPG)

![KH BJ FINISH 6](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/iYGpwDbnLnF9vYbkb56CX/f02bbba3c58df2e0b88ddc885b50d488/KH_BJ_FINISH_6.jpg)

![P1192147](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4e1AjMvAvHYWily58ZA4KW/7bb0d2988c5c12fcdc45adb05321ae26/P1192147.JPG)

![P1191611](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/444jCBBRCQHgljVW2DuCZI/52b85aa37cccb83bd40fb3abd353c2c2/P1191611.JPG)

While the past few days were relatively high tension days with drama and twists, today is relatively “uneventful”.

But to use the word uneventful is greatly misleading as riders arrived triumphantly at the finish line, all with their own story, drama and emotion, rich enough to fill a book with.

Riders who finished after recovering from major injury, riders who finished despite battling personal challenges, riders who compete to win sponsors so that he/she can reach a bigger dream, and hundreds more reasons to ride and race Bentang Jawa.

After watching these riders on the screen for days, it's easy to mistake their presence as simple moving dots, differentiated only by its number and its cycling statistics.

But they are not, they are an ordinary people, living their life with bicycling as a means to somethings, and comes with the regular and irregular life challenges.

To brave the Bentang Jawa despite or inspite all of their challenges are what makes them special, and a reason why we are rooting for them to arrive at the finish.

![RifqiAkbar BJ DAY 6-6806](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6dlqzCfbZ8zOFLr3QJ2fms/e5d94918a2700242d0acc7a34619cad8/RifqiAkbar_BJ_DAY_6-6806.jpg)

If there is one single tough day in Bentang Jawa, yesterday is that day.

But before we get into that, big round of applause to our female champion and record breaker, Charlotte.

While on a separate note, the Malaysian duo Alkamar and Amir were the first pair to arrive at CP3 and pushed hard to be the first pair to finish.

Now let’s talk about today.

The battle to get to CP2 before the end of the day has taken its toll on riders. A combination of heat, exhaustion, and medical situation leads to many riders declaring scratch. We also have several reports of accidents which lead to withdrawal from the race, thankfully all have received medical attention as needed.

With many riders still a fair distance away from CP2, there will be riders who potentially missed cut off time, including some of dotwatchers favorite riders.

Meanwhile the faster riders started to trickle down and arrived in Banyuwangi, creating an overtime and 24h watch for the committee members now posted in Hotel Blambangan.

Tiring as it is, it’s one of our favorite tasks, welcoming the brave Bentang Jawa riders safely back. Keep it going my friends, we are rooting to see you all in Banyuwangi!!!

![RKN BJ DAY 5-6](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6wGYLv5EW7maRHHNY5QVRp/2352ecda3dc296db56c2cbaca8ece338/RKN_BJ_DAY_5-6.JPG)

![RKN BJ DAY 5-3](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/36mKPdoLx1rX34g10EWhKk/7977c056a0422e4140dbf223bab16d6d/RifqiAkbar_BJ_DAY_5-5657.jpg)

![FAH BJ DAY 5 3](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/FUuFFiY3NTajSSBKrt1hY/440620dca0a6d2122f32e77bb6e5588d/FAH_BJ_DAY_5_3.JPG)

![RifqiAkbar BJ DAY 5-5067-2](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6EJkLmD2rjo5mgQQrYQw6V/1d664957da150f714cd0936149fff2f5/RifqiAkbar_BJ_DAY_5-5067-2.jpg)

What a day !!!

It all started on a very early Wednesday morning at around 3 AM in CP3 at Ranu Pani as the top 3 riders arrived just a few minutes apart. What then was revealed in the next 12 hours was the thrill of pure bike racing of epic proportions. Although it ended in the most unexpected way, joy and heartbreak is just minutes apart; dreams achieved, dreams crushed.

But let this be a day of achievement! 

Yusuf Kibar was the first to arrive, hardened by the battle and rather unexpectedly crowned as Bentang Jawa 2024 champion. He was closely followed by Zidan Attala in 2nd place. Both breaking last year's record from Boru, despite longer and tougher route across the island of Java.

The young guns have been battling each other, throwing punches and exchanging attacks with such a positive and good natured attitude. Refreshing just as they are inspiring, they are the true embodiment of Bentang Jawa’s spirit. Congratulations champs!

Today we continue to welcome riders home as they join in the finishers celebrations and exchange stories from the road. 

![FAH BJ DAY 4 10](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/42UQFr9DM7urdUGXo16KU4/8cdd8574bbaceeb115763ed5df19ca23/FAH_BJ_DAY_4_10.JPG)

![RifqiAkbar BJ DAY 4-4258](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2GaW7Uci7ISBikGvIR24fS/8c7e29d69e6c295e4de01ac56b9c5b3d/RifqiAkbar_BJ_DAY_4-4833.jpg)

![RifqiAkbar BJ DAY 4-3823](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5FobNAQt8WpgeFwDXWHnb5/1aed49ade6f5be4e72c3216f821b5a20/RifqiAkbar_BJ_DAY_4-3823.jpg)

![RifqiAkbar BJ DAY 4-4795](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2qtFKeAAc1kBlZTbvnvEGg/0ab07f88d0b23deb71f1724b0d281175/RifqiAkbar_BJ_DAY_4-4795.jpg)

![KA BJ DAY 4 8](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4NK8YPZohWHXUHkZxzFgsI/16f9da6edc37271ff7b75cf801c0c880/KA_BJ_DAY_4_8.JPG)

While yesterday focused on the midpack and the survivors, todays headlines are focused on the front runners.

Handika broke the CP2 time record by over 2hr despite a longer and tougher course. He managed to hold onto pole position since CP1 despite a relentless chase from the young guns. But with duo Boru/Finley and past champ Dzaki scratched due to medical reasons, it was Zidan and Kibar who pressed the pressure button. 

The female leads however, are intense with duel between Fian and Charlotte, themselves frequently leapfrogging each other. 

![KA BJ DAY 3 6](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3GzlHL8mRrcEv9aajFNFm7/fd92e89e2363c48ef4b97a24a53819c5/KA_BJ_DAY_3_6.jpg)

With the next COT more than 48hrs away, the mid and backpack are allowed to breathe a little, resting and contemplating their strategy and survival. There is no time to slack no less, as many riders brave the night and cold souther wind to try to get to CP2 with ample time to spare.

The next 24hr will determine the winner, and at this stage the race is still very much open. 

![FAH BJ DAY 3 2](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/22EW8jcHBGGWGijiMAU4LH/2df8b90556742892f607ddc5d68e13d8/FAH_BJ_DAY_3_2.JPG)

![KA BJ DAY 3 7](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2SpXJi1iiSQipUl6FU5oWo/70333c7430f37dbdfd594b4f1c9fbb69/KA_BJ_DAY_3_7.jpg)

![RifqiAkbar BJ DAY 3-3453](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4n66xiP8kqgo0tJ3LMfPQ1/83b3c0485e352feaad8f90d6d2f1eba2/RifqiAkbar_BJ_DAY_3-3453.jpg)

![RKN BJ DAY 3-6](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3SuAqtZsITpu1KepHN7yh8/bd00d3c9abfce9b68a2b795990fd701e/RKN_BJ_DAY_3-6.JPG)

As Handika and Fian solidified their lead they have been relentlessly chased by those behind. Whether or not there will be a change of position, this will be determined on day 3.

The mid and back pack of the bunch however, are fighting hard to meet the CP1 cut off time. But this was not an easy task due to the conditions at hand. Firstly, the wind blowing hard sapping riders' energy and motivation. Second, the unforgiving heat and humidity destroying the last bit of energy reserve, after the soul crushing first day rolling climbs.

![RifqiAkbar BJ DAY 2-1969](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6crc8ouqftDBweCyCVtwAg/05c99637305b76cfb6d531fdc67ba94e/RifqiAkbar_BJ_DAY_2-1718.jpg)

Already by noon riders confirmed scratching from the race, some due to illness, others due technical and personal reasons.

Unlike the previous edition where riders hang for quite some time at the checkpoints to wait for riders to arrive, this time weary of the hard condition and distance ahead, riders opted to leave and start moving eastward.

By 22.00 last night, 118 riders out of 149 starters meet the CP1 cut off time. And as the riders have the opportunity to contemplate and assess their situation, perhaps for the first time since their start, we expect more surprises to come.

![FAH BJ DAY 2 5](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/44DA34RmGIUCYScYxdsuM4/d04e950fc8877305a4212d96e2e1c03d/FAH_BJ_DAY_2_5.JPG)

![RKN BJ DAY 2-3](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/62zkFox7ASEMKkFCimaAVO/2fa7f1224804b4283beb763f3e34aced/RKN_BJ_DAY_2-3.jpg)

![RifqiAkbar BJ DAY 2-2203](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/67f9V33LiLOZ4mGyQFXVpj/91075b840b6e5daa6058c7ed5c304596/RifqiAkbar_BJ_DAY_2-2203.jpg)

![FAH06966](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4z6H1baUSmcfbdnRdA67KF/22ba7735169806b7e64c00107d959178/FAH06966.JPG)

Let's recap the highlights of the first day of Bentang Jawa!

![AM BJ START 5](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6XEqCq0qnTuS5Y9vzvlMLs/ba538f7bc8e8b362f314f4570785671c/AM_BJ_START_5.JPG)

So early on in this adventure, it's all to play for. Already we have a fierce battle between the superstars at the front: Handika, Boru/Finley, Zidan and Kibar. Not forgetting the duel between the lead females Charlotte and Fian. Keep an eye to see how things will play out in the coming days. 

Riders have been surprised by the Sawarna replacement. The Cikadu hills, located on the southern side of mighty Mt Halimun-Salak mountain range, are one of the longer climbs in this year's course. While riders can usually toughen themself to walk a bike over Sawarna, the Cikadu was not made of the same stuff. Combined this with strong wind and relentless heat that wreaks havoc in the mid and back field of the bunch, we have the perfect storm.

On the first day we also witnessed riders falling ill due to bad food, extreme exhaustion and hot temperatures whilst a few have fallen victim to technical issues. As many riders start reporting their resting position, let's pray and hope today will bring a fresh start. Well not really fresh, but you know what we mean!

![P1157072](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/Q0Tato1L9STv1TfzWSrP8/1aa6518d2e63878d73888557f21c79e7/P1157072.JPG)

![KA BJ DAY START 3](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/79pp8l7chjt7GgOMff0vo7/c57ab44a097892b3b26c9f9142b6eb5d/KA_BJ_DAY_START__3.JPG)

![RKN BJ DAY 1 2](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7JF0NozJNflgcDpgUY4vrX/52c585e02ac9602e0b9a7fa03e448a89/RKN_BJ_DAY_1_2.JPG)

![RKN BJ DAY 1 5](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7DgqknHjIyn5NrcFNOeyzn/20715f3e7c4fd7c5514bb33cf9ddd73c/RKN_BJ_DAY_1_5.JPG)

Once again, we return to the tropical Jawa Islands to follow the Indonesian Audax scene in their crown event, Bentang Jawa.

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