It's a very interesting one and, whilst I've only ridden 3 PBPs, the riders from SE Asia and Indian sub-continent etc. looked more prepared in 2019. Clothing appeared to be much more appropriate for sure. Lots of woollie hats on show!
But that finishing rate is truly awful and it does have to improve especially when the participation of so many riders who are not even making it beyond a couple of controls excludes potential riders who have a better chance of completion.
Difficult one to square - the popularity of PBP, especially from these newer countries, is great; but equally, it now becoming a 2 year endeavour makes it much more difficult for some to make time in the preceding season and as Rob said, it totally excludes those who had never even heard of PBP until only a few months before the event (and I find that upsetting as someone who rode their first 200 in late 2010 and by early 2011 was hearing a lot about this ridiculously long ride in France - well, one things leads to another, and PBP 2011 happened for me and there were plenty more of us going from zero to hero that year).
I certainly hope that ACP read the riot act to all audax associations around the world that they need to challenge their riders more in their qualifiers and find some hills. Aside from the different weather conditions (which in large respect can be dealt with through clothing (my personal view is it is harder for us NW europeans to adapt to 35+degrees and high humidity than it is to go the other way and layer up appropriately)), PBP is a hilly ride - I don't care what anyone says, you're always climbing or descending on PBP, there's very little flat stuff!
I know things change and I embrace newer countries taking part, but after 2 or 3 editions with poor completion rates (falling completion rates overall??), ACP need to put the relevant associations on notice.
We'll see what happens. I know I'll have to ride a 600 or 1000 in 2022 as PBP number 4 is going to be a good one for me!