Final 300 metres decides 1000km race

Saskia van Heeren at the finish of the Mongol Derby.

The pair sprinted the final 300 metres after eight days of the race to settle line honours.

"It was a team effort," Nelzen said. "Two horses travel faster than one. Saskia deserves this victory as much as I do. She's been with me the whole time.

"We've been riding eight days and we've had a lot of fun.

"When times were tough we motivated each other - and told each other to 'suck it up' a few times! You have to be tough waking up with aches and pains and facing another 12-14 hours in the saddle. But it couldn't have been a better experience."

In the end, just a few lengths separated the pair.

The two revealed they had initially made an assault on the finish line from the last horse station on the last night, but were forced to turn back in a downpour of biblical proportions.

Said Nelzen: "We were out in front last night, decided to take it easy this morning, no need to push the horses. We could afford to just look after them.

"About 300 metres out, Saskia gave me the nod and we 'turned the horses loose' to see what they had, and raced to the end.

"The horses were great, they look great, Saskia and I feel great. The Mongolian people have been great!"

Nelzen said there was much to admire along the journey. "The scenery is absolutely beautiful. And the people, they take such good care of you. To get to know them - such gracious people, such wonderful horses - was the highlight."

He said his first priority was a hot shower - if he could find one.

Van Heeren, who also raced in the first derby last year, said her second race was her last.

"Another Derby and my knees will give out permanently!

"We had a wonderful gallop down the hill to the finish, one arm in the air for balance, it felt like the 'Man from Snowy River'. I was half-scared we would trip up on the final stretch, or spook at the finish-line entourage - 'please do not throw me off in front of all of these flags and cameras!'

"It was a great finish! I have a beer in my hand, I'm sat on a horse, and it's 8am! Justin and I both agreed it was a big bonus to ride with someone else; it was give and take, you need someone else to help balance the highs and lows.

"In retrospect, the things that were lows at the time become highs when you have endured them and completed the race.

"We rode in violent hail storms, nearly got struck by lightning, and rode in forty degree heat. I have two swollen knees and my back is in spasm. I am physically broken, but mentally absolutely high.

"You feel like you have achieved something very grand. The landscape is humbling, but also makes you feel proud. Proud in spite of looking very uncivilised, with our split lips."

She said the local people had made a huge effort for them. "It's an honour to be with them and stay with them, and a privilege that they lend their magnificent horses for us.

"Danger aside, you feel very safe out here with the Mongolians. It is a wonderful life out here on the steppe - you have to deal with being alone, with no barriers. Unrestricted by social/political constraints, you learn who you are. This is an experience everyone should go through! There is no room for bullshit, silly social worries. It's pure survival."

New Zealander Madonna Harris finished third, three hours behind the leading pair.

Madonna had been in contention for nearly all 1000km of the race before the leading pair broke away in the latter stages.

Harris said her race "was incredible. I really enjoyed the last few days".

"I'm doing really well actually, I'm not anywhere near as sore as I thought I might be!"

A few hours after her arrival, Briton Richard Dyer and Sophie de Selliers, from Germany, crossed the line at the same time to stake a shared claim on fourth place. Then just an hour and a half later the chasing group of five riders crossed the line together, sharing sixth place between them.

They were Camilla Swift (UK), Hilary Ponti (US), Anya Campbell (UK), Camilla Speck (UK) and Rhiannon Thomas (UK).

At the time of writing, three riders were still out on the course - Anna Bradbury (UK), Kat Swigart (US), Elsa Post (South Africa) and Susia Saddler (UK).

Listed as injured or withdrawn were South African Alexandra van Heeren and American Aslisa Vermay.

The Mongol Derby is organised by The Adventurists in partnership with Tengri Group in Mongolia.