Taiwan KOM Challenge - Can We Complete The World's Hardest Hill Climb?

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Taiwan KOM Challenge - Can We Complete The World's Hardest Hill Climb?

Рет қаралды 1,844,081

6 жыл бұрын

Two years in the making, Si and Matt take on one of the hardest races in the world, the Taiwan KOM Challenge. 108km of climbing, rising to over 3000m in altitude, against some of the strongest bike riders in the world, including Vincenzo Nibali! This was a truly epic day out on the bike in every single sense of the word.
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Пікірлер: 1 100

@Krasbin 6 жыл бұрын

I would like to ride the MOK challenge: same route but the other direction.

@peter_smyth 6 жыл бұрын

Would be more fun having climbed it first (if I could), but I agree.

@timkri 5 жыл бұрын

Just pass by the comment and here is for your information. There are mainly three routes to the top, none of them can be considered easy and these route each has races every year.... :) - However, cycling up from the west is considered easier than from the north and the east.

@atai168 5 жыл бұрын

hahaha

@1980mezza 5 жыл бұрын

@@timkri I have just arrived here in Taichung - Love it.. Your roads are perfectly smooth! Next month I will attempt the Road to KOM Challenge on the 22nd April

@timkri 5 жыл бұрын

@@1980mezza Welcome to Taichung, April is a perfect season to climb Wuling. Get prepared and have a good ride :)

@iicray 6 жыл бұрын

Si placed at 58 with 4:11:40. And, do you know? It is 20.7KPH in average and it's a 87KM climb from sea level to 3275M. BTW, Nibali's record is 3:19:54 and 26.1KPH in average. Most of people can't even ride flat 87KM with 26+ KPH in average. They are all great.

@anthonyhomercycling 4 жыл бұрын

高長瑞 hey it’s you !! I’ve filmed you 2019 ! Hi boss !

@burakbayram7991 4 жыл бұрын

What is the name of this segment on Strava?

@burakbayram7991 4 жыл бұрын

@@iicray Thank you 🙏

@RishabhSharma-lq1id 3 жыл бұрын

True

@Marco-717 3 жыл бұрын

Probably drugged

@ggdd1299 5 жыл бұрын

The funny thing about this race is that Emma Pooley came in at #32 overall.. Winning the female category in the race and beating both Simon Richardson and Matt Stephens by a long time. This race took place before Emma joined GCN.. she is obviously a world-class monster climber!! The overall race was won by Giro de Italia champion Vincenzo Nibali

@timdick825 2 жыл бұрын

A shame that Emma Pooley was not mentioned in this thread!!!

@leninsyngel 3 жыл бұрын

Si: *a whole lot of talk* Cut to Matt: This is brutal! Cut to Si: *a whole lot of other talk* Cut to Matt: This is brutal!

@blackdranzer2686 3 жыл бұрын

hahahaahah

@kao93053 5 жыл бұрын

看到你們兩位主持人來台灣參加KOM武嶺挑戰賽，內心非常地感動與高興，謝謝你們喜歡台灣也向世界介紹了這麼精彩的比賽過程，歡迎你們再來！

@Alex46312 5 жыл бұрын

@user-cx3uy5rn3r 3 жыл бұрын

I’m glad to hear that 😍

@daniellopez9622 6 жыл бұрын

Probably best GCN video I've seen, and the fact that Phil Gaimon is in there just makes it better

@gcn 6 жыл бұрын

Cheers Daniel. We (unbelievably) enjoyed making it!

@Mar.Marz.83 9 ай бұрын

I cannot still believe I will attempt the 2023 Taiwan KOM challenge next week, on October 27th. I'm so thrilled and excited 😍

@gearknobz 9 ай бұрын

Ollie is probably doing it as well

@dennisblogg 6 жыл бұрын

Simon Richardson placed at 58 with a time of 04:11:40.39 Matt Stephens placed at 68 with a time of 04:19:04.69

@xanovsky 6 жыл бұрын

Dennis Mortensen not all heroes wear capes

@NielsHeldens 6 жыл бұрын

Da real MVP

@WaechterDerNacht 6 жыл бұрын

Just for the raltions: Winner: Vincenzo Nibali - 3:19:54.04 Last finisher (cant read his name): 陳敬水 - 6:54:13.48 i wouldnt be able to finish that! Congratulations to everyone that finishes a race like that!!!

@martimgomes2660 6 жыл бұрын

Jeez! Matt is still incredibly fit! Wasn't expecting that!

@Daniel-ng8fi 6 жыл бұрын

wow, the fact last place was still sub 7 hours is insane to me.

@numberonealcove 6 жыл бұрын

Phil: "The course... it goes uphill" Matt: "We should write that down, Si."

@jackysham9113 6 жыл бұрын

The mountains in Taiwan are just so gorgeous to ride in.

@carljansevanrensburg2440 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video, have been waiting for it. Matt, you're a beast! What a great performance at your age. Don't forget to bring Lasty next year. I live in Taiwan for the last 17 years, and for me it is one of the best places to cycle. I'm close to Hsinchu City, and you only have to go 15 - 25 km to experience real epic climbs. The one climbing near my home is about 1500m over a distance of 28km. Not the Taiwan KOM, but just as brutal and breathtaking. Taiwan is a very affordable and friendly cycling destination. Giant also offer nice tours at an affordable cost. Hope to see you guys next year.

@user-sr9yp5zy8w 6 жыл бұрын

Hey, welcome to Taiwan ! I'm a 15 years old rider, I come from Taipei. Nice to heard you guys had a nice experience here, make sure to come back soon!!!

@gcn 6 жыл бұрын

Cheers William, keep it up!

@ymj4256 5 жыл бұрын

讚喔

@1houroflove186 4 жыл бұрын

WIlliam, I wish I was 16. Make sure you do what you're interested in. I didn't. I did what my FATHER wanted me to do. I hated it. Do what you want to do and the money will come along with your happiness.

@gzbike 6 жыл бұрын

Having completed the Taiwan KOM challenge 2 times this is the most Epic cycling event that I can think of. Being able to ride with the best Pro riders in the world, an absolute stunning scenery and overcome extreme suffering on the last sections of the climb makes this one that needs to be on any cyclists bucket list. There are 3 events a year. 2 in spring and summer allow for a longer cut off of 9.5 hours and the fall event is the elite race with 6.5 hours cut off. 2018 Taiwan KOM... here I come again.

@user-lr8lf5iq5x 4 жыл бұрын

good

@tafarimakkonen6738 6 жыл бұрын

My arm pits were sweating watching you guys attack this. Major Props! Just added this to my Cycling Bucket List. Thanks everyone at GCN!

@gcn 6 жыл бұрын

Good luck Tafari!

@Timtimzi 3 жыл бұрын

i think this was the peak at GCN's content. Good times.

@Samuelclark11 3 жыл бұрын

GCN plus my man

@grantwallace1882 6 жыл бұрын

Many congratulations, guys. Yes, I recommend Taiwan to everyone and anyone. Beautiful people, amazing country.

@PhilAndersonOutside 6 жыл бұрын

Looked up the results. Nibali won in 3:19, Cadel Evans finished 10th at 3:38. Emma Jane Pooley was the top finishing woman at 3:52. Simon was 58th, at 4:11, and Matt 68th at 4:19. Very respectable times from the GCN lads. A total of 430 people finished. 43 of them over the age of 50.

@Vokunos 5 жыл бұрын

Emma is a beast

@stewartboyd3128 4 жыл бұрын

all on water n baguettes!!!!

@FlatSpinMan 6 жыл бұрын

It’s really interesting seeing the guys take on challenges like these. Love this kind of material. That must have been incredibly tough.

@Gkuljian 6 жыл бұрын

Now I know why my friend moved to Taiwan.

@unchangingtask 6 жыл бұрын

This is an amazing account of your trip. The route of Taiwan KOM is in my bucket list of must-dos...

@davidsalt3477 6 жыл бұрын

Been waiting for this, love watching the guys ride and talk about epic rides. I know I never will but would love to do this. Chapeau to you both.

@ava071003 6 жыл бұрын

很棒耶!還有搭配中文字幕，超貼心! 很開心又有外國人喜歡上台灣了(超厲害的啦!竟然騎得上去，god~

@致良知 6 жыл бұрын

聽到上坡在上坡又上坡還是上坡..太強了.

@djtoman6875 6 жыл бұрын

無論是人或風景，台灣沒有什麼可以不喜歡的。哇愛呆丸！

@yanzhuozhoo 6 жыл бұрын

环法环意环西三冠王 Vincenzo Nibali 都去了，他拿了第一，3时19分54秒。如果这项赛事得到推广，以后肯定有更多出名的车手来，好希望哪天天空车队能来

@renfengqq 5 жыл бұрын

@@yanzhuozhoo 但天空不贊助了........

@fixiex5evo244 4 жыл бұрын

well, perhaps correction needed or I gotta fix my hearing. Why I heard "Thailand" when they should say "TAIWAN". 😂 Though they pronounce Taipei correctly :)

6 жыл бұрын

Finally, what we were waiting for! :D

@user-fc7lg4ld8t Жыл бұрын

Time to come back and ride KOM again

@brown2666 6 жыл бұрын

This looked just effing epic!!!!. I have no vocabulary to explain how insanely awesome this looked and must have been to ride

@robbchastain3036 6 жыл бұрын

Congrats, Matt and Si, on your fine performances and thanks for showing us this epic event. And I am already looking forward to seeing how you fare next year. Will Matt close the gap on Si? Will Lasty show up? How many mineral waters would Dan need to summit? And Chocolate Voice, he should be there, too.

@DiegoAndrade-ig1qs 6 жыл бұрын

Nice video GCN I'm a very fan of your channel, I'm from Bolivia and here is a really hard climb, it's a 65km, starts at 1300 meters in altitude and it finishes at 4600 meters above sea level on the Andes Mountains. It's called Yolosa la Cumbre. We've had many good cyclists from around the globe including Oscar Soliz winner of the Colombian RCN classic, Tinker Juarez and so on.

@morty499 6 жыл бұрын

Love the video! You should participate in more unique races and challenges, it's enjoyable to watch!

@gcn 6 жыл бұрын

Cheers Morten!

@demetricehill2982 3 жыл бұрын

@TheWaxChainFanClub 6 жыл бұрын

Incredible. Just incredible. Well done lads.

@dougharvey9766 6 жыл бұрын

Great work guys, and Matt you must be super proud of your time and you really kept that young pup honest : )

@julen2380 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks ever so much! I was very much looking forward to this video and it didn't disappoint. Incredible achievement! Major thumbs-up!

@kajet666 6 жыл бұрын

I just wanna say - I had a blast watching this video, and it's the ballsiest thing GCN presenters have done since Matt tried to ride CX.

@nihowdy1 2 жыл бұрын

Taiwan is a country, thank you.

@jerryavalos9610 4 жыл бұрын

I've seen video's of riders completing KOM and being emotional at the end. Can't imagine something would be that difficult, lots of respect for people that even attempt this. I believe the key to completing KOM is to be a lean as you possibly can, train as hard as possible, have the appropriate gearing (at least a 1:1 ratio), and eat and drink appropriately, especially stay hydrated because that is the key right there. Dehydration raises the fatigue level like crazy.

@Nonelogic 6 жыл бұрын

I’m looking forward to take on the challenge! As a citizen of Taiwan, this is one of the challenges that we should complete in our life time. I’ll be looking for the GCN when I attend, hope to keep up, which is another challenge. Great video!

@stinkerseb595 6 жыл бұрын

Next level production by GCN, awesome!

@sth6027 6 жыл бұрын

This was really entertaining and inspiring to watch. Can't wait for next season to do some crazy stuff uphill :)

@DrewWithington 5 жыл бұрын

Great attitude and great altitude! Just started watching your channel and so cool to have presenters who can both ride bikes and communicate.

@DimitrisDimitrakakis 3 жыл бұрын

Amazing, just amazing. Watched from start to finish! Felt like I was there with you guys climbing that crazy elevation. Wow!

@mlee6136 6 жыл бұрын

Si was emotional at the finish you can see that, It’s that hard!

@woolfel 6 жыл бұрын

thanks for doing Taiwan KOM challenge. One day I plan to do it.

@MeganBennettAu 6 жыл бұрын

Fantastic video! Well done Si & Matt! Would love to see more videos like this on the channel.

@hieroraven 6 жыл бұрын

Watch this and Phil's vid - absolutely brilliant! Combined, some of the most brilliant coverage of both vlogs - Phil's and GCN. Love it.

@SwedishHouseFifa 6 жыл бұрын

Do it next year as well but please bring Lasty!

@liambarber9036 6 жыл бұрын

Not hard enough for Lasty, he is only released on the Steep climbs.

@NielsHeldens 6 жыл бұрын

On a fixie

@markp353 6 жыл бұрын

Agree, bring Lasty. Great effort guys. Great vid

@gcn 6 жыл бұрын

cracking idea!

@Fidasaind 6 жыл бұрын

How about on a 20kg steel bike. Maybe be nice and give him a 1x. Of course that chain ring would have to be reasonable. You couldn't go soft and give him a 46, 48 or 50. And 53 is evil. So a 52 :p And an 11/25 cassette.

@TheMartin128 6 жыл бұрын

We need the GCN directeur Sportif in more videos!

@boyorider 6 жыл бұрын

thanks for sharing the gorgeous scenery of Taiwan, you guys are lucky that there was no rain at this years' challenge.

@eraserlaser 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for showing us this challenge, this is now penciled in my bucket list...looks amazing

@shawn238 6 жыл бұрын

Looked epic. Still a ride I have to do. I don't think I will do it in a race just yet. As I only live 4 hours from there it is something I should of done a long time ago. Well done. Inspired!

@SwedishHouseFifa 6 жыл бұрын

12:25 That was so hard that even baby face Si looks kinda old!

@swedgephd 6 жыл бұрын

Probably dropped a few pounds.

@liamsmith1571 6 жыл бұрын

Looked like Bill Nye

@robertrice1689 6 жыл бұрын

Great video. I’d love to see the GCN crew do more epic rides like this.

@frankwork6982 6 жыл бұрын

Well done both of you. Really. I appreciate what you all did and bringing us along with you.

@alsmn 6 жыл бұрын

Oh my god, the gradient is amazing !

@blockhax6146 5 жыл бұрын

The Phil Gaimon bit is gold - pitty that Nibali brought a team of 14 riders to reel in anyone that got passed him

@ChrissibabyUK 4 жыл бұрын

Honestly, you‘re superhuman. It‘s so motivating watching you cycling the world. Thank you.

@6F2 6 жыл бұрын

Great vid gents, been looking forward to that.

@SuperMonkeyboy1977 6 жыл бұрын

Love this video. Totally inspired. Actually ordered GCN gear to support you guys. But next year Dan and Lasty need to do this ride because I gotta see them suffer! And awesome sunglasses Matt.

@gcn 6 жыл бұрын

Cheers buddy! You'll get extra Watts from that 👌

@trdi 6 жыл бұрын

This was great content. Matt is a beast, great time. Were there any separate age categories, he must be superb in his age category?

@gcn 6 жыл бұрын

He is superb all round!

@leftymadrid 5 жыл бұрын

Ouch, ouch, oh the pain, the burning sensation, simply incredible really. I would need to train for 2 years for that one!!! Nice, nice job guys!

@reddiver7293 Жыл бұрын

Gnarly climbing! Well done lads! Congratulations to all who finished.

@MishMash95 6 жыл бұрын

Fantastic video! Was really looking forward to this one :D

@gcn 6 жыл бұрын

Cheers MishMash!

@wootenbasset8631 6 жыл бұрын

Matt sure looked like he was giving it all he had. Si however, was still able to speak. Though he had the fastest GCN presenter time. I’d give the best sufferer award to Matt.

@artificiallift9110 6 жыл бұрын

This was soooo sick. We want more of this stuff!

@ajmulla92 3 жыл бұрын

Really enjoyed this guys! I live in Taiwan and cycle everywhere! Would love for you to come back soon and maybe do an island tour!

@ZekeValentin 6 жыл бұрын

Good one! Now, I can't wait for Phil Gaimon's video on it. He finished 6th BTW, some 9min behind Nibali, quite impressive.

@tarmacsurfers 6 жыл бұрын

Those views.......WOW. When done lads!

@earthlife3431 6 жыл бұрын

cycling plus talking. A lot of power needed. Salute!

@MiguelTorres-hg1kn 6 жыл бұрын

Congratulations guys. You guys are outstanding!

@ricardocuevas1030 2 жыл бұрын

I rode this climb with a mountain bike. So tired!! I hope soon I can make it again with a road bike! Taiwan is great for cycling!

@dominationstipps701 6 жыл бұрын

2:53 ... his childish look/face ... Had to laugh THAT hard. I really respect you guys!🤙

@mindy_cycling 3 жыл бұрын

The beautiful scenery is wonderful. I’m watching the first video today. amazing !!

@ericpmoss 6 жыл бұрын

That initial segment was gold. "I wish I could help you."

@RedFleur7 6 жыл бұрын

Let's why TCR&SCULTURA very popular in Taiwan, we ride uphill everyday.

@henkdetank8401 6 жыл бұрын

Just imagine how many hours of great video's we would have had if lasty had done the kom challenge

@video-revo7251 6 жыл бұрын

That looks like an amazing climb! Good job guys!

@timothyhutchins4668 6 жыл бұрын

Awesome been wanting to do this for a few years. Cheap Jetstar flights, good food and the chance to meet some GCN Celebs. Doing it!!

@samuriel6081 6 жыл бұрын

Beauty of Taiwan ❤

@LMFAO317 6 жыл бұрын

Hello from Taiwan!! 👋🏽

@dustinwht 6 жыл бұрын

Best video by GCN to date! More content like this please!!! 👏👏👏👏😄🙌

@gcn 6 жыл бұрын

Cheers Dustin 👊

@eliesaba8746 6 жыл бұрын

Can’t stop admiring Matt’s bike. What a beauty!!

@jeremys8360 6 жыл бұрын

Who else is loving the new editing style of gcn

@gcn 6 жыл бұрын

Cheers Jeremy, it means a lot!

@LoscoeLad 6 жыл бұрын

maybe why it took a bit longer to come out? great video though

@steviegriffin3513 6 жыл бұрын

Love the Phil Gaimon cameo!

@Sionnach1601 6 жыл бұрын

Fantastic guys. ABSOLUTELY fantastic! Very impressed and well proud of both of ye. :)

@danielmagana5125 3 жыл бұрын

You both are monsters on the road! Cheers from NYC

@xGshikamaru 6 жыл бұрын

Haha for once Si missing clipping in, you could tell that this was hard ;)

@JieChan 6 жыл бұрын

My country Taiwan 我的國家臺灣 is a beautiful country

@JohnRider 6 жыл бұрын

Cracking great effort guys! Thanks for the inspiration!!

@Duy22 4 жыл бұрын

We did this climb with my partner as we wanted to do some sightseeing. Little did we know it would be so tough! It was definitely worth it though. Great job guys!

@steezymtb5876 6 жыл бұрын

I really wanted to see coach Phil lecture Matt for letting a guy pass him on the final stretch.. 😂 😂

@cobo216love 6 жыл бұрын

辛苦了！還有，到處都是好美的景 ~💗

@jimbobeire 6 жыл бұрын

Serious respect for finishing, and even more for getting a very respectable time!

@3dr1ch 5 жыл бұрын

The meeting at the start cracks me up! Si struggling to keep it together! 😂😂😂

@HockeyPucker77 6 жыл бұрын

Made me tired just watching. Keep it coming GCN.

@SwedishHouseFifa 6 жыл бұрын

Imagine the Taiwan KOM Challenge on zwift haha!

@alaminkadir9543 6 жыл бұрын

SwedishHouseFifa imagine doing it on a mountain bike Not because they’re bad because they are generally more heavier

@tomdarrington 6 жыл бұрын

I can, I'd be sat on a bike in my house with a few fans.

@CycOp 4 жыл бұрын

This rout is already uploaded onto Rouvy. With an indoor trainer, I am working on elevation attempted in one setting ( now around 5K ft. or 1.7KM). Hopefully within a year or two I will feel ready to do the actual climb.