Geography and history clash once more at CP1, as the remoteness of central Norway is interrupted by the 21st century tourism of Flåm. The size and sheerness of the fjord are matched only by the gargantuan ships that visit, creating an absurd spectacle where lack of scale renders the landscape almost incomprehensible. Our riders, however, will soon find their yardstick as they measure their climb out on the Rallarvegen in hours, not minutes.

The high green valleys and thick wooded slopes of these central European borderlands first drew riders to the race at TCRNo5, inspiring a young Pawel ‘Piko’ Pulawski racing his inaugural TCR. Since then Race Through Poland has brought the area unmissably to the ultra-racing scene, and no-one who has ridden RTPL will be fooled by the misnomer ‘Low’ Tatras. Developed with the help of Piko, the twin parcours first takes riders over the Czech giant Praded, and then to the foot of the mighty Chopok mountain in Slovakia - so high it is better known for its skiing than its cycling.

From the serene ski slopes of Slovakia to the cement chutes of Sarajevo, winter sports are once more on the agenda. On the flank of Mt. Trebević, overlooking Sarajevo, the 1984 Winter Olympic bobsleigh track lies graffitied and forgotten in the woods. But this summer will see the return of lycra-clad speed-merchants to its banked tracks as TCRNo12’s third parcours hurls riders out of their comfort zones and deep into the Balkans.

In the shadow of Mt Korab on the North Macedonian border, our parcours once more rollercoasters back through time in one of Albania’s remotest corners - a land with no shortcuts. Donkeys and oxen outnumber modern machinery, and where other roads might bridge a chasm, here you must descend to the valley floor before winding slowly up the other side. CP4 lies in Leskovik, a stone’s throw from Greece. Next riders will cross the Vjosa river and its tributaries, heading south to the Peloponnese and their finish line.