my idea of doing this race - lightweight full sus or hardtail mtb, sleeping kit, ride at 50% of effort (100% being turning myself inside out to finish asap), sleep six hours every night, take lots of photos, talk to other riders, interact with the locals. not a "race", really (but i wouldn't want to race it).
i can only fell sorry for the leader for skipping his sleep - it becomes a very dark state of existence (hating yourself, everyone and everything around you - i've been there..). 90km to go though - nearly there!