KING OF THE MOUNTAIN: JOHN EBSEN WINS 5TH TAIWAN KOM CHALLENGE

Find 2023 Taiwan KOM Challenge story and results HERE

The event legend, John Ebsen of Denmark, took his 5th Taiwan KOM Challenge title on Friday 28 October 2022 with a winning time of 2:05:34, while first time participant Chiu Shengxin won the women’s title in 2:32:08.

Following weeks of typhoons, hard rain and landslides that forced the course to be shortened for the 11th edition of the storied KOM race, riders enjoyed a dry 85 kilometers long route ending at the giant 3000 year-old Bilu Divine Sacred Tree 2150 meters above sea level.

After winning his first title in 2012 and his 5th a decade later, Ebsen said he now has enough KOM trophies and plans to move back to Europe,“Five KOM championship trophies are enough for me.”

Local rider Huang Guanlin (2:07:14) finished in second place after being dropped by Ebsen in the final kilometers, noting “I tried but failed to stay with his quick attack.” Lu Shaoxuan (2:07:50) was third.

Women’s champion Shengxin was over eight minutes behind the leader Jermyn Prado with 40km to go, but 20km later Shengxin caught and dropped Prado before going on to solo across the finish with, apparently, still fresh legs,“This is my first KOM ride. Pity that the finish was [moved down] to Bilu.”

Cheng Shihxuan (2:34:33) took second place with Wang Xinhuei (2:34:34) one second behind. The early leader Prado (2:39:37) faded and finished fourth.

Complete Taiwan KOM Challenge results HERE.

Photos/Media: Taiwan KOM Challenge