The Challenge: Season 40 Premieres with Legendary Cast on MTV

The Challenge : Battle of the Eras Season 40 Premieres on MTV

T.J. Lavin , the host of The Challenge , was surprised to see Mark Long return after a 12 - year hiatus from the reality series . Long , a BMX cyclist , is part of the legendary cast of Season 40 , which premiered on MTV . Lavin expressed his excitement to see Long back on Battle of the Eras , a season featuring all returning players.

Long , who made his reality TV debut on the first season of Road Rules in 1995 , has been on 6 seasons of The Challenge , winning two . He pitched The Challenge : All - Stars to MTV after competing on Battle of the Exes in 2012 . Long is now representing Era I on Season 40 alongside other old school players like Aneesa Ferreira , CT Tamburello , and Rachel Robinson , among others.

In an exclusive interview , Lavin discussed the milestone Season 40 , highlighting the show 's longevity and the excitement for the future of The Challenge . He mentioned standout competitors like Horacio Gutierrez , Kyland Young , and Michele Fitzgerald from Era IV , who have made an impact on the series.

The kickoff special for Battle of the Eras featured flashbacks to iconic moments from the previous 39 seasons , adding a nostalgic element to the show . Julie Pizzi , the president of Bunim - Murray Productions , discussed the challenges faced by the cast , emphasizing the intense and competitive nature of the season.

Jon Murray , the founder of BMP , reflected on the evolution of reality TV and the success of The Challenge over the years . He expressed excitement for the returning players like CT , Johnny Bananas , and Mark Long , who have been part of the show 's long journey . Murray also hinted at new ideas and future plans for the franchise.

As Season 40 unfolds in Vietnam , viewers can expect intense challenges , emotional moments , and a unique gameplay experience . The show 's producers are focused on keeping the audience engaged and looking forward to what lies ahead in the ever - evolving world of The Challenge . Stay tuned for more exciting developments in the world of competitive reality TV.