While the vast majority of this year’s races are already over, some great battles await us around the world. One thing is certain: with those final races on the schedule, we also have another unprecedentedly exciting battle awaiting us this year for the Challenge Family World Bonus.
Caleb Noble leads the Challenge Family World Bonus in the men’s ranking and Magda Nieuwoudt in the women’s ranking. Yet they are by no means certain of their victory – and thus huge prize pool – because the remaining Challenge Family races could still bring about quite a few changes in the standings. Many top athletes who are competing for the highest ranking have already announced that they will race some extra Challenge Family races in order to have the chance to gain more points.
in the men’s ranking, it is Noble who leads the way with 1050 points. Noble is briefly followed by Thomas Bishop, who has 1000 points, and behind him it is at least as exciting. Mathis Margirier (850), Menno Koolhaas (850), Frederic Funk (700), Aaron Royle (650), Magnus Ditlev (600) and Sam Laidlow (600) are just some of the names that still have a good chance of moving up in the standings.
Among the women, this includes Lucy Byram (980), Els Visser (950), Anne Haug (750), Fenella Langridge (610), Margie Santimaria (610), Grace Thek (600) and Daniela Ryf (600). All are within striking distance of Magda Nieuwoudt, who leads the Challenge Family World Bonus standings for now with 1,200 points, but the battle for the top spots is in full swing for sure.
Full standings here.
About the Challenge Family World Bonus:
Challenge Family is proud to have a pro athlete world bonus scheme connected to its races. The initiative provides professional athletes with the opportunity to race for a share of a US$125,000 end-of-season bonus as well as a prize purse at the races. The World Bonus starts with the first Challenge Family / Clash event in 2023 and ends with the last race taking place in 2023.
The US$125k bonus pays five deep across both men and women with the top ranked pros taking home $25k, second will earn $16.5k and third will win $12k, fourth $6k and fifth $3k.
Ranking is decided through a points system based on placings earned. Athletes are only able to count their six best Challenge Family or Clash races during the season, of which no more than one can be a long distance race (226km). In the advent of a tie, the prize money will be shared.