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Gallery: A look inside the Taiwan KOM Challenge

Contributor Laura Fletcher snapped photos of the Taiwan KOM Challenge, the 105-kilometer mass-participant event that starts at sea level, ascends 11,000 feet, and finishes atop Mt. Wuling.

October 31, 2019 Laura Fletcher

Read contributor Laura Fletcher’s behind-the-scenes dispatch from the Taiwan KOM here.

Taiwan-c.LauraFletcher-1-6 — The race started early, just as the sun was coming up. Photo: Laura Fletcher

Taiwan-c.LauraFletcher-1-1 — The Taiwan KOM Challenge begins in Hualien. Photo: Laura Fletcher

Taiwan-c.LauraFletcher-1-5 — The race climbs from sea level up to 11,000 feet. Photo: Laura Fletcher

Taiwan-c.LauraFletcher-1-8 — Along the way the route takes in the Taroko Gorge. Photo: Laura Fletcher

Taiwan-c.LauraFletcher-1-9 — There are always riders who attack early along the 105-kilometer route. Photo: Laura Fletcher

Taiwan-c.LauraFletcher-1-3 — Riders pass through a tunnel along the highway. Photo: Laura Fletcher

Taiwan-c.LauraFletcher-1-4 — Photo: Laura Fletcher

Taiwan-c.LauraFletcher-1-13 — Photo: Laura Fletcher

Taiwan-c.LauraFletcher-1-6 — There are several tunnels along the route as it climbs up from sea level. Photo: Laura Fletcher

Taiwan-c.LauraFletcher-1-11 — Riders encountered wet conditions at lower elevations. Photo: Laura Fletcher

Taiwan-c.LauraFletcher-1-12 — CCC-Liv sent Marianne Vos and Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio to the event this year. Photo: Laura Fletcher

Taiwan-c.LauraFletcher-1-10 — The pack breaks up on the long climb to Mt. Wuling. Photo: Laura Fletcher

Taiwan-c.LauraFletcher-1-13 — Photo: Laura Fletcher

Taiwan-c.LauraFletcher-1-11 — The race took on a ghostly feel as riders passed in and out of the mist. Photo: Laura Fletcher

Taiwan-c.LauraFletcher-1-10 — Photo: Laura Fletcher

Taiwan-c.LauraFletcher-1-14 — Moolman-Pasio, one of the best climbers in the world, dropped the other women on the climb. Photo: Laura Fletcher

Taiwan-c.LauraFletcher-1-9 — Photo: Laura Fletcher

Taiwan-c.LauraFletcher-1-7 — Photo: Laura Fletcher

Taiwan-c.LauraFletcher-1-8 — Photo: Laura Fletcher

Taiwan-c.LauraFletcher-1-15 — Eventually the race climbed above the fog and into the sun. Photo: Laura Fletcher

Taiwan-c.LauraFletcher-1-17 — Sunshine and clear skies greeted riders near the top. Photo: Laura Fletcher

Taiwan-c.LauraFletcher-1-14 — The views from atop Mt. Wuling were spectacular. Photo: Laura Fletcher

Taiwan-c.LauraFletcher-1-19 — Moolman-Pasio won the women’s event. Photo: Laura Fletcher

Taiwan-c.LauraFletcher-1-18 — Riders needed a rest after the grueling effort up the 11,000-foot vertical day. Photo: Laura Fletcher

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