After 3 days of training, the riders finally thundered across the starting line. And not without incident.

2017 was always going to be competitive.  It more than lived up to that billing, and in amongst the usual Derby tall tales of adventure and mishap was a thread of more tactical sporting behaviour.

2018 will be remembered as one of the more dramatic editions of the Mongol Derby; as the riders circled on the start line, nerves fluttering,

Laughter and tears as the adventure is finally over - it's the final day of the Mongol Derby 2018

As the midfield sail in, enjoying their last horses and time on the steppe... a grim fight ensues at the back of the field to get an official placing. It's Day 8 of the Mongol Derby 2018.

AC & AN float in to the finish, leaving DH cheated of victory for a third time. Hoorahs & heartbreak on the steppe as we head for the finish of the world's longest horse race.

A river crossing, flies and the race starts to get away from DH. It's day 6 of the Mongol Derby.

Rodeos, help buttons and an increasingly tense front end. Never good. It's day five of the Mongol Derby 2018.

A lone rider still outpaces the chasing packs behind her, while surprising changes of pace further back in the field show the shifting nature of the race as the riders approach and pass the half way point (500 kilometres in).

Thrills, spills ... and Sunday pills? Saturday on the longest, toughest horse race in the world.

From storms and floods to blue skies and bright sunshine... day 2 of the Mongol Derby 2018.

Storms, flooding, wild horses, heartbreak, action, adventure... it can only mean one thing. The tenth edition of the world's longest horse race has begun - the Mongol Derby 2018.