TCRNo10 Day 10: Reviving Spirits

Words by Emma Cole

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Reviving spirits 

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Several more riders rolled towards the Finish Line, their tan lines, tired eyes and hungry faces in harmony with the joy and relief of their achievement. For some, 10 days of riding is visibly etched on their bodies, while for others the unravelling of their experience will take time, perhaps after a traditional Hammam. 

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The top 10 riders have now completed their journey from Roubaix to Istanbul. Andre Bachmann (005) came fifth after 9 days 21 hours 19 minutes, followed by David Tschan (050), Ben Chadourne (060), Lucas Strittmatter (197), Florian Moreau (067) and Mikko Kainu (043). This morning, Pawel “Piko” Pulawski (008) also rolled in jubilantly. 

Behind them, riders continue to press north towards the Finish Parcours. Jana Kesenheimer (010) and leading Pair Gereon Tewes (295a) and Sherry Cardona (295b) are ~80 km and ~120 km from the Finish Parcours.

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Control Point 3 (CP3) in Kosovo closed late afternoon at 18:00CEST. One hundred and sixty riders made the deadline to get their brevet cards stamped and continue to ride in General Classification. 

Sinking in 

Lucas Strittmatter (197) arrived in Istanbul at 21:22CEST to a flurry of family and friends, having just come eighth in his first ever TCR. Just 2 days earlier, on arrival in Çanakkale, Lucas was riding among Andre Bachmann (005) David Tschan (050), and Ben Chadourne (060). 

“I wanted to finish in the top five, but I’m still glad I finished in the eighth spot,” said Lucas. “After the Parcours in Turkey, we four were still together but because of the headwind it really demotivated me and I couldn’t hold on. I feel proud of myself to have all the stamps and to finish the TCR. I think I have to just settle it for the moment.”

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The 26-year-old was introduced to ultra-cycling by his friend, TCRNo10 winner Robin Gemperle (002), who was at the Finish Line to welcome him in. 

“I was not expecting it, but I thought if he prepares well, and does a proper effort, he will do well,” said Robin. “I think he was very aware that he could ask me questions, but I feel like he wanted to do his own thing and his own race which I understand. I really loved that he brought the racing spirit.” 

Feeling fresh 

Florian Moreau (067) arrived in the early hours of this morning, relatively fresh and relaxed. His second consecutive top 10 finish at a TCR, the Frenchman was pleased but also pondered what could have been had he not had issues with his bike light. Upon the offer of a dürüm and an enormous slice of fresh melon, a huge smile swept across his face. 

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At 09:28CEST Pawel Pulawski (008) rolled into the Finish in fine fashion. He waved his arms aloft cheerfully, laughing about how he had stayed in hotels, had overslept a few times, and ridden through tar, but he had also seen the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and that was the essence of the journey. 

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Earlier in the day he was caught by Control Car 2 with an ice cream stick in his mouth.

“There’s no more ice cream, the stick is keeping me hydrated,” he explained cheerfully. “Once I watched a movie called The Cube, and one guy said stick something to your mouth and it will generate the water inside your mouth, and it’s working!” 

Getting battered

Riders continue to face strong winds across the Mediterranean. Current lead woman Jana Kesenheimer (010) found a way to stay positive as she pressed on through headwinds in Türkiye. 

“When I got off the saddle my bike almost fell because the wind was so strong,” said Jana. “I couldn’t lift one hand off the handlebars because it was too shaky with the wind.” When asked how she was pushing on through the challenges, she responded “So I was listening to German pop music, which I could sing along, and then I just sang really loud.”

By evening, Hugo Pottier (275) was closing in on the Gelibolu–Lapseki ferry crossing, elated to be making the trip across the Dardenelles Strait and to be out of the relentless gusts for a brief time. His ride through the European side of Türkiye was marked with a strong headwind and a 100 km gravel section which turned into hike-a-bike.

Similarly, Chas Christiansen (169) was feeling the effects of an intense headwind, but on seeing the Mediterranean Sea, he cried out with joy, delighted at arriving at this huge milestone on his journey. The beating gusts forgotten. 

Close call 

Control Point 3 closed at 18:00CEST yesterday evening, and two riders cut it fine. Patryk Betcher (52) rolled in at 17:53CEST and Nicholas Barnard (171) arrived at 17:56CEST. w

“I crossed Kosovo like a mad man, stopping for nothing and made the check point just in time for the closure,” said Nicholas on his social media. “I had some nice rest, some food, overslept and now we go again.”

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It doesn’t matter in which order the riders take on the CP or Parcours, as long as they get their brevet card stamp before the cut-off.  

Petra Scherer (181) rode to the CP to make the cut-off, and then headed down the Parcours before turning around to climb it. Petra is now making her way through North Macedonia, still in General Classification. 

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Mike Hall Bursary rider Mersedeh Chegini (292) headed through Serbia and has just passed through the town of Sjenica on her way to Montenegro. While no longer in GC, Mersedeh continues to ride strongly and with intent, in pursuit of a Race Finish. 

“I was doing pretty good until today, I had some digestion problems and couldn’t start cycling so I’ve started really late,” said Mersedeh. “I’m trying to have a good experience and have a good mentality. I’m really careful about my mental side because I don’t want to get tired and then give up.” 

Ahead, riders are snaking through North Macedonia and Greece, contending with fierce heat and wind, while many have now crossed into Türkiye, ready to take on Parcours 4 and to make their way towards the Black Sea. The fruits of their efforts are slowly converging as the smell of Turkish coffee begins to linger in the air. Who wants a cup?

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