The ultra-distance event Race Across France has recorded an increase in the number of participants to 1,400 riders for 2026. Last year, 1,290 athletes took part. The event takes place over ten days and offers five different distances between 200 and 2,500 kilometres. All routes finish in Mandelieu-La Napoule on the French Mediterranean coast. The organisers provide seven aid stations along the route and mobilise 100 volunteers for the event.
Race Across France with five distances
The shortest distance of 200 kilometres starts directly in Mandelieu-La Napoule as the Go'Lum Experience night race. The 300-kilometre route starts in Bollène, the 500-kilometre variant in Albertville in the Alps. Riders of the 1,000-kilometre distance start in Orléans in the Loire Valley. The longest route over 2,500 kilometres leads from Hendaye in the Basque Country through 26 French départements to the Côte d'Azur. Participants gain up to 30,000 metres in altitude on this route. The route connects the Atlantic with the Alps, crosses Provence and ends at the Mediterranean.
Team Human Ride with four para-athletes
Boris Ghirardi leads the Human Ride team, which is taking part in the Race Across France for the second year running. All four team members live with a disability. Stéphane Bahier will start over 2,500 kilometres as a transfemoral amputee. Yanis Debaud is riding the 500 kilometres with a paralysed foot lifter muscle. Charlène Mourot is competing as a C5-Para cyclist over 300 kilometres. Boris Ghirardi himself is taking part in the 200-kilometre night race as a below-knee amputee. The project epitomises the values of inclusion and resilience that the Race Across France represents.
Race Across France concept
Race Across offers a series of ultra-cycling events for anyone who wants to experience cycling over long distances. The concept makes it possible to slowly approach longer and longer distances - from 200 km to 2,500 km on the road or up to 800 km on gravel roads. Participants ride independently according to a GPS track and are supported by a well thought-out concept:
There are base stations along the route where refreshments and bike repairs are offered and breaks are possible. Safety is ensured by a GPS tracking system that monitors each participant in real time, while a team is on duty around the clock. Luggage transport, catering and other services are fully covered by the organiser. Race Across is aimed at all ability levels and allows participants to take on the adventure alone, in pairs or as part of a team. The starting place for the 200 kilometre short distance currently costs 129 euros and for the 2500 kilometre long distance currently 509 euros.
Lucas Becker and Pauline Gaidet on the long distance
Lucas Becker won the 2,500-kilometre distance in 2024 and finished second in 2025. The German will return to the longest distance in 2026. Pauline Gaidet made history at the Race Across Spain in 2025 as the first woman to win an ultra-cycling race in the Race Across series in the overall standings. She will be competing over the 2,500-kilometre distance for the first time in 2026. Both athletes are among the European elite in ultra cycling.
The Race Across France is part of the Race Across Series and has established itself as one of the leading ultra-distance events in Europe. The semi-autonomous format demands endurance, strategy and mental strength from the participants. The route through various French regions offers changing landscapes from the Basque Country to the Alps and the Mediterranean coast.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
