The 43-year-old from Kraubath in Styria got off to a much better start than last year. After the first night, he was still in 30th place, but is now already battling for the top spots. The six-time Race Across America winner is competing in his fifth TCR race, with a record of two wins, one second place and one fifth place.
The field of 367 solo riders tackles the world’s longest unsupported route without support vehicles or support staff. Between the designated checkpoints and mandatory sections, the riders plan their own routes, organise their own provisions and resolve any technical issues independently. The twelfth edition of the race finishes in Kalamata, Greece.
Cold weather at the Transcontinental Race
The conditions on the first night proved a challenge for Strasser. It got dark at midnight and light again at 3 am. Temperatures dropped to 0 degrees, and his fingers and toes were freezing. The Styrian hadn’t packed any suitable cold-weather clothing. The Norwegian landscape, with its fjords, waterfalls, rivers and mountains, made a big impression on him during his first race in Scandinavia.
Strasser has decided not to take any breaks to sleep and is approaching the first checkpoint at the Aurlandsfjord. The route takes him along the Rallarvegen, a 70-kilometre-long gravel road, to the winter sports resort of Geilo. From there, he will travel through southern Norway to Sweden.
Strategic ferry routes
Choosing the right ferry route from Sweden to Central Europe is the first strategic consideration. Different ports and timetables offer different options. Drivers must weigh up shorter routes with longer waiting times against detours that avoid stopovers. These decisions can influence the outcome of the race.
Further mandatory sections lead through the Czech Republic and the Tatra Mountains in Slovakia. Strasser’s route plan takes the riders through Hungary and Croatia to Sarajevo. The third checkpoint is located on the former bobsleigh track from the 1984 Winter Olympics. The route runs directly through the historic concrete flume. After a further checkpoint in Albania, the final section takes place on the Peloponnese. From ancient Olympia, there is a significant climb ahead before reaching the finish on the coast.
Sleep strategy for the Transcontinental Race
Strasser is carrying two kilograms of carbohydrate powder for the Transcontinental Race; he buys the rest of his provisions along the way. He plans to get three hours’ sleep a night in accommodation. He’s taking a sleeping bag with him in case no accommodation is available. The weather presents additional challenges. In Norway, even in the height of summer, snow, rain and temperatures close to freezing can occur at altitudes of over 1,500 metres. A few days later, extreme heat awaits in south-eastern Europe and Greece.
Competition at the very top
Robin Gemperle from Switzerland won the 2024 Transcontinental Race and currently leads by a narrow margin. At this early stage of the race, many riders are still bunched closely together. Jana Kesenheimer from Germany is competing as last year’s women’s winner. Martin Moritz, Manuel Rudaz, Nicolas Châtelet and Robert Müller from Germany are also among the favourites. Before the TCR, Strasser won the “Rund um Sachsen” and the “Unknown Race”. His record at the TCR includes two wins, a second place and a fifth place.
You can watch the race via Live GPS tracking follow. Strasser provides updates on the race via his social media channels.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
