Frenchman Damien Monier (Bridgestone - Anchor Cycling Team) won the Taiwan KOM Challenge, a race of 105 kilometers, with a climb of 87 kilometers that brings the riders from sea level to 3275 meters of altitude.
Monier beat John Ebsen, winner in 2012 and 2014, and Irishman Mark Dowling. WorldTour riders Omar Fraile and Lasse Norman didn't feature in the top end of the classification.
The average gradient of the climb is around 5% in the first 80 kilometers and the climb gets harder in the end, with 10% gradients and a wall of 27% The route crosses Taroko Gorge, a rock formation and passes tunnels and spectacular temples.
The record was set by Iranian Rhamin Emami at 3:26:59 in 2013 while John Ebsen won in 2012, 3:27:25, and last year, 3:40:05. The temperature is another key factor. It can be around 15 degrees one day and below ten on a rainy or foggy day.
The prize for the winner is one million Taiwan dollars, 28,000 euros. There was 14,000 for the runner-up and nearly 3,000 for the third rider across the line while the first woman receives 6,000 euros.
Result:
1. Damien Monier (Fra) 3:34:19
2. John Ebsen (Den) 3:34:53
3. Mark Dowling (Ire) 3:35:56
4. Ariya Phounsavath (Tha) 3:36:05
5. Thomas Lebas (Fra) 3:36:29
6. Stuart Anthony (Aus) 3:37:47
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