The cyclists departed from the Windmill Casino as they go chasing for the prize money in excess of R100 000. It said that the winner may pocket as much as R 1 million for the win. The race organiser on his website indicated that he believes that in future the winner can win one million US dollars.

While more of the riders will aim at completing the route over the five day period, the Bloemfontein attorney and adventurer, Adrian Saffy, told OFM Sport that his goal will to finish in 3 and a half days, as he has a flight to catch back home.

“There are about a 130 people on the starting line, and I personally have never done this distance before on a bike.

“I am hoping to finish in three and a half days because I definitely have to be home within the next four days because that is when my flight is booked.

“It may be a bit presumptuous, but it is going to be tough, there will be no easy miles, it will be through the Karoo, it’s hot and it’s barren, but we signed up for this.”

The race can be considered to be the toughest ride in the world, as it is indeed a single-stage event, and this will see the competitors banking on every single ounce of their mental and physical strength.

@MorganPiek OFMSport