Grueling Mountain Bike Race in the Desert: Pictures

Competitors walk their bikes along sand dunes during stage 1 of the 14th edition of Titan Desert 2019 mountain biking race around Merzouga in Morocco. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
A competitor on the eve of the start of the Titan Desert 2019. The 640km mountain bike race snakes between Merzouga and Maadid and ends May 3. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
Stage 1 around Merzouga in Morocco. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
Stage 2 between Merzouga and Ouzina. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
Competitors dealing with the extreme conditions in the desert during stage 1. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
Competitors rest at the bivouac after taking part in the second stage. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
Competitors ride their bikes during stage 1 around Merzouga. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
Competitors climb a sand dune during stage 1. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
A competitor pushes a bicycle along a sand dune during stage 2 between Merzouga and Ouzina. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
A man drives his moped as a competitor rides his bicycle during the second stage between the cities of Merzouga and Ouzina in Morocco. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
Competitors ride their bicycles during stage 2. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
Some consider this grueling endurance race the hardest mountain bike race in the world. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
Competitors push their bicycles during the second stage. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
A competitor rides his bike around Merzouga in Morocco. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
Competitors ride their bicycles between the cities of Merzouga and Ouzina in Morocco. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
A competitor pushes a bicycle along a sand dune during stage 2. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
Competitors push their bicycles uphill during stage 2. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
Competitors push their bicycles during the second stage. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
Competitors ride their bicycles past camels during the second stage. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
Competitors rest at the bivouac after taking part in the second stage of the 14th edition of the Titan Desert 2019 mountain biking race. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images