TCRNo10 Finish: The Culmination

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Words by Emma Cole

The culmination 

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As the final hours of the tenth edition of the Transcontinental Race dawned, riders continued to flow into the Finish Line, their journey of over 4,000 km now complete. 

Those already finished gathered to celebrate riding across the European Continent to Istanbul, the velodrome of Roubaix seeming a lifetime ago. 

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Amongst the bumping of fists, warm embraces and clinking of glasses, riders shared their highs and lows and together began to process their journeys. While some rejoiced in their efforts, others were left wondering what they could have done differently while a few questioned what they would do after the Race, their goal now reached. 

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Bucket list complete 

For many riders, the Finish Line is a moment of disbelief and delight. Mid-afternoon Hugo Manson (137) rolled in, delighted to have ticked off a bucket list ride. 

Hugo was greeted at the Finish Line by fellow UK rider Lizzie Jenkins (033) who finished the night before. Her second TCR, Lizzie had had a bit of time to reflect on her Race, not least after demolishing a lot of cheese.

“I’m still feeling a bit delirious but I’m getting there,” she said. “I enjoyed it more than last time as before I had quite a lot of doubts about if I could actually get there, whereas this time because I knew I could get to the finish it allowed a bit more space for enjoyment. It’s trusting that your body will bounce back and realising that you can keep going.” 

A few hours after Hugo, Jörg Stollsteimer (088) arrived. Having struggled with the heat, and the gravel on the Finish Parcours Jörg was almost speechless to have finished. 

“It’s wonderful and it’s crazy at the same time, I can’t believe it,” said Jörg, clutching a cold beer. “This is the best drink I’ve had in two weeks.” 

Shortly behind him was Thomas Groenewegen (046) who spent five years training for the TCR.

“It was a bit of an obsession, and a fascination that people could cycle so far, and I was curious to see whether I could do it,” said Thomas. “It’s incredible, I’m a very happy person right now.” 

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Mixed emotions 

Part of the beauty of the Race is the range of emotions it invokes, and the opportunity to reflect both on the bike and afterwards. 

Leigh Timmis (030) had expected himself to finish earlier but the longer time on the road had given him lots of time to think. 

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“It’s been a bit of a spiritual journey, there have been so many challenges and I’ve had loads of problems,” said Leigh.  “I just had to dig through these different layers of who I am and who I want to be, thinking back through all of that has been quite intense.” 

Similarly, ultracycling veteran Damian van Loon (93) remarked that no matter how many races he does, he always learns something about himself.   

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“It’s a very meditative experience,” said Damian. “That’s what I get out of it the most, thinking about your life and what you are going to do next, and imagining all the different endings.” 

For Heike Otten (225) the Race gave her an opportunity to see herself from a different angle.

“I’ve watched the last Transcontinental Races and always looked at the pictures and thought, oh, these badass athletes they look so pro and so strong,” said Heike.

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“Signing up to the Race I did not feel that way, but when I saw the first portraits from the Mangartsko Pass, I thought I look surprisingly pro in these pictures. They made me change my perception of how I feel about myself and how I look in the race. 

Party time 

As night fell, the Finisher’s Party was well underway as riders, families, friends and volunteers gathered to celebrate the past few weeks. 

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Sporting a rather outlandish shirt, Race Director David Ayre congratulated riders on their resilience and achievement. As part of the Finisher’s Party, several prizes were awarded to those who had exemplified the Spirit of the Race. 

Special mentions included winner of the Green Leaderboard Tim de Witte (003); resilience award Victor Bosoni (232); most improved media conduct Jaimi Wilson (004); and perseverance award Andre Bachmann (005).

There was also one eye on the tracking map as time was ticking for riders who were making one final effort on the Finish Parcours to reach the GC cut-off of 23:59CEST. 

Fadi Alrais (161) rolled into the Finisher’s Party to a rousing applause, exclaiming that finishing the TCR was a dream come true, while Pairs Stef Jacobs (297a) and Stien Van der Eycken (297b) arrived rather relieved to have made it with a small margin to spare. 

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Shortly after them came the Maglia Nera. Nick Barnard (171) arrived after 16 days 1 hour and 11 minutes, the final rider to finish before the GC cut-off.

“This is the first time I’ve been early to anything!” exclaimed Nick. He was presented with an honorary Maglia Nera t-shirt by Mikko Mäkipää (044), ten time TCR finisher. Signed by many TCRNo10 riders, the t-shirt was a fitting tribute to Nick’s cheerful contribution to the Race. 

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While the Race is over for most, there are several riders still making their way towards Istanbul, their adventure continues, and the Lanterne Rouge is still to be crowned. 

Congratulations to all our TCRNo10 riders, and to those still out on the road, may the spirit of the Race remain with you.  

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Awards list

Special mention – Tim de Witte (003) Winner of the Green Leaderboard and third overall for the second consecutive year.  

Youngest finisher - Carlotta Schumacher (034) at 18 years old.

Oldest rider still on the road – Norman Lomax (229) at 67 years old. 

Resilience award – Victor Bosoni (232)

Most improved media conduct – Jaimi Wilson (004) 

Perseverance - Andre Bachmann (005)

Most romantic moment – Mark Kowalski (243) 

Best social media - Chas Christiansen (169) 

Single speed – Julian Klose (138) 

Pairs award – Louison and Augustin Muller (313a, 313b) 

Worst birthday - Julian Manrique Trujillo (202) 

Maddest setup - Bas Vlaskamp (213) 

Cleanest ride - Michael Schmalz (075) 

10 TCRs record - Mikko  Mäkipää (044) 

Maglia Nera – Nick Barnard (171) 

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