2024 Race Report

2024 Race Report

Race Director: Anthony Duff
Charity Partner: Royal Flying Doctor Service
Funds Raised: $61,986

Event Overview

The 2024 Simpson Desert Bike Challenge delivered another year of remarkable endurance, community spirit, and human resilience across one of the world’s toughest ultra-endurance cycling events. Riders from across the nation on the isolation, soft sand, and unpredictable terrain the Simpson Desert is famous for.

With a full field of dedicated competitors, support crews, officials, and volunteers, the event upheld its tradition of camaraderie, challenge, and charity, raising an outstanding $61,986 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Race Conditions

The 2024 edition offered the classic Simpson mix—sections of firm, fast sand interspersed with challenging soft patches and rolling dunes. Winds were variable across the week, at times offering fast tailwind running and at others forcing riders to grind through crosswinds and long exposed stretches.

Temperatures remained manageable, with warm afternoons and cool mornings supporting consistent race pacing throughout each stage.

Blow by Blow Account

Tuesday 1st October

Stage 1: Dune Resurrection 78km

After the initial dash to the Rig Road corner, the riders settled into the race, with twenty riders making it to the end of the stage. James Tranter was first in at 3 hours 57 minutes, followed by Stuart Neden (3.58) and Max Coleman (3.59). Julie Shaw was the first of the ladies, in 4 hours 59 minutes.

Stage 2: Rig Amortise 34km

The race got going this afternoon with warm temperatures. Max Coleman won the stage (1.34), James Tranter (1.35), Stuart Neden (1.36). Julie Shaw was the first of the ladies in 2 hours 15 minutes.
Twenty-one riders finished this stage.

Wednesday 2nd October

Stage 3: Lone Rider 66km

Stuart Neden (3.08) won the stage, with James Tranter (3.15) and Heath Bastian (3.32) filling the rest of the podium. Four riders succumbing to the pursuing Sweep. Julie Shaw was the first of the ladies, in 4 hours 29 minutes.
Stage 4- Waa Hoo 43km- Stuart Neden (2.07) won the stage, with James Tranter (2.11) and Geeb Smith (2.11) equal second. Four riders succumbing to the pursuing Sweep. Julie Shaw was the first of the ladies, in 2 hours 59 minutes.

Thursday 3rd October

Stage 5: Poeppel Pushover 77km

One of the toughest stages of the race, riding north between the gypsum “knolls” on the AAK track and forty kilometres of the French Line regarded as the softest track in the Simpson Desert. Stuart Neden (4.18) was first home, with Geeb Smith (4.30) and James Tranter (4.34) taking out the minor placings. Julie Shaw was the first of the ladies, in 5 hours 47 minutes.
Stage 6- No Moon Rising 18km- The much-anticipated night stage had nineteen starters for three laps around the Lake Poeppel course. The riders had a Le Mans style start at the corner of the three states. Eighteen riders finished the stage with James Tranter (0.40) the winner, with Stuart Neden (0.40), Max Coleman (0.41). Julie Shaw was the first of the ladies, in 51 minutes.

Friday 4th October

Stage 7: Q and A Quest 80km

The longest stage of the race. A quick 20 km blast along the side a large salt- lake, the riders turn East onto the QAA Line for sixty kilometres of dunes, forever increasing in height. Max Coleman (4.35) was first in, with Geeb Smith (4.38) and Stuart Neden (4.40) close behind. Julie Shaw was the first of the ladies, in 6 hours 16 minutes. Thirteen riders finished the stage, with five being swept and four DNS. A very tough stage for all riders.
Stage 8- Nappanerica Dreaming 54km- This afternoon’s stage saw the riders cross the crocodile infested Eyre Creek for a hot afternoon of racing. There were fifteen starters for this stage, with three getting swept and the remaining six sitting it out due to various heat and fatigue problems. Heath Bastian (3.09) was first home, with Max Coleman (3.11) and Geeb Smith (3.12), with the rest of the riders evenly spread behind them to finish a tough day of racing. Julie Shaw (4.26) and Bronwyn Stephens (4.26) finished the stage together in a spectacular finish, only four minutes in front of sweep.

Saturday 5th October

Stage 9: Look to Windward 15km

This morning’s stage was three laps of the dune crest between Little Red and Big Red. Max Coleman was first in (0.58) followed by Luen Warneke (1.02), Stuart Neden (1.04). Julie Shaw (1.32) was the first of the ladies.
Stage 10- Birdsville Bar Blast 35km- This neutralised stage started on the Eastern side of Little Red. The riders rode as group and crossed the finish line in a photo finish in front of the historic Birdsville Pub.

Birdsville Hotel Presentation

The post-race celebration, presentation and auction was a great night. The auction items were hotly contested raising extra funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Congratulations to all riders and their support crews for the massive effort that it takes to not only make it to the start line, but to push through to the finish line.
A huge thank you to the officials that keep this travelling show moving each day, as well as the committee that spend so much time organising the event in the year leading up to it.

Spirit of the Event

The 2024 edition was again defined by the desert’s unique mix of hardship and heart. Across dunes, headwinds, campfires, and long days in the saddle, riders displayed:

• Admirable sportsmanship
• Strong mutual support
• Commitment to the RFDS cause
• Respect for the desert environment
• The shared drive to push personal limits

This spirit remains the foundation of what makes the SDBC one of Australia’s most iconic endurance events.

Appreciation

The Challenge would not exist without its passionate community. Thank you to:

• All riders and teams
• Support crews
• Medical and logistics teams
• Course officials
• Volunteers
• Sponsors and donors
• Our charity partner, the Royal Flying Doctor Service

Your combined efforts made the 2024 event safe, successful, and deeply memorable.

Closing Remarks

The 2024 Simpson Desert Bike Challenge delivered unforgettable stories of endurance, triumph, teamwork, and impact. With new innovations such as the Teams Category and another year of impressive fundraising, the event continues to grow while preserving its core spirit.

Congratulations to all who contributed to the 2024 edition. The desert demands much—but gives back even more.

Anthony Duff
Race Director 2024