TCRNo10 Start: The Caps Are On

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Words by Emma Cole

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The Caps Are On

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The 10th edition of the Transcontinental Race is underway, with 302 riders having set off and currently making their way across the continent towards the Bosporus.

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Registration opened on Sunday 21st July at 10:00CEST at the Roubaix Velodrome. As riders rolled in the anticipation and excitement was palpable, so too was a profound sense of what they were about to undertake.

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For Race newcomer, but well-known ultra cyclist from Australia, Abdullah Zeinhab (021) the TCR is particularly poignant.

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“It feels full circle in a lot of ways,” said Abdullah. “I feel grateful just to be here, it feels like I’m finishing off something I started quite a while ago, as in from when I started ultra cycling to now, and how I feel like it’s finishing.’ 

Rory Kemper, previously Race Coordinator and TCRNo4 rider has seen the Race grow considerably since its beginning and was volunteering at the start Control Point (CP). 

“It’s still got the same vibe that it’s always had, nervousness from the riders, and the seriousness that comes with the endeavour of the Race,” said Rory. “A lot of people here know each other through social media or have raced together before, maybe for five minutes, but here suddenly they are best friends. I can’t quite put my finger on it.”

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“It’s interesting that the Race starts in Roubaix with its cycling history and the Parcours goes to Geraardsbergen which is like the spiritual home of the TCR. Having that connection between the two points is quite nice.”

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Build Up 

The sound of freehubs whirring was a constant soundtrack amongst the bustle of riders catching up with old friends while others met for the first time. 

Volunteers of CP4 at TCRNo9, Norman Lomax (229), Stef Jacobs (297a) and Stien Van der Eycken (297b) were reunited and embraced each other. They are all racing for the first time. Having been volunteers last year, they have a unique insight into what may lie ahead. 

“Volunteering last year meant we did have a reality check that it’s not going to be easy,” said Stien.

“You have an insight, you can see what to do and what not to do,” added Stefan. “It’s really nice to see each other again.”

“I am feeling excited but a little bit nervous because we know what it is,” said Norman. “I cycled CP4 so I feel very confident in terms of my head and my attitude, it’s all the unknown factors, so we will see.”

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Beautiful Bicycles 

Rider bike choices were varied, with carbon dominant amongst a few titanium frames, but there was one particular bicycle which stood out. 

Laura Tovar’s (011) custom TCRNo10 paint job beautifully articulates the journey of the Race through an eye-catching mosaic style design. From Bogota, Colombia, it is Laura’s first time riding in Europe.

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Along the top tube are the CP icons, underneath is a turquoise lacquer with van Gogh-esque swirls, and an illustration of Laura’s dog Tinto, a German shepherd. 

“My bike has a beautiful history,” she said. “I met a Colombian artist and I tell him things that I have in my heart. This paint is very emotional for me, it means that maybe in your life you have some pieces broken, and when you put [it all] together you can fly on your bike.”

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Many riders are also drawing on sentimental items and motifs to help them on their journey such as stickers from loved ones saying ‘we love you’ while Ian Grail (096) has 48 creme eggs with him, a retirement present from his colleagues. 

Ted Misson (183) made his own custom bags to fit his bike. A dewy emerald green, the bags fit perfectly and his full frame bag has a reflective strip sewn in and is also specifically shaped to allow two water bottles to fit beneath it.

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“I inherited a sewing machine from 1946 from an old neighbour a few years ago, and I made a set of bike packing bags for a trip in Scotland,” said Ted. 

“They were quite rudimentary, but a few friends said you should make some more and since then I’ve been making a few in my bedroom.”

Velodrome Procession

At 20:00CEST, 302 riders set off for the 10^th edition of the TCR  with a lap of the iconic Roubaix Velodrome led by special guest Kristof Allegaert, winner of TCRNo1, TCRNo2 and TCRNo4, and Christoph Strasser (001) winner of TCRNo8 and TCRNo9. 

The first 12km of the Parcours were neutralised, but as night fell the Race began proper and riders took on a succession of cobbled Belgian bergs, including the Kwaremont and Koppenberg which slowly drew out the group led by Andre Bachmann (005). 

The Belgian Parcours culminated in Geraardsbergen with riders heading up the Muur van Geraardsbergen, a classic in Flemish cycling history and for TCR. Crowds lined the cobbled path cheering riders up the steep 1100 metre slope, ringing bells, holding flares and playing some deep bass. An electric atmosphere.

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 Making Inroads 

Overnight, riders continued to flow through the farmlands of Belgium and the field began to split, largely between riders heading eastward through Germany towards the Rhine or through Luxembourg towards Saarbrücken. 

Christoph Strasser (001) took the latter option, along with Ben Chadourne (060), Omar di Felice (016) and Andre Bachmann (05). Victor Bosoni (232) is also with the front pack.

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Having spotted his dishevelled appearance last night, social media confirmed that Omar di Felice (016)  crashed after 35km and had damaged his derailleur. Despite this, by mid morning he had ridden over 400km. 

Leading the charge through Germany was Robin Gemperle (002) who started with strong intent as he takes on his third TCR, closely followed by Abdullah Zeinab (021), Alexander Kopp (006), Pawel Pulawski (008) and David Tschan (050). 

There was also a group of riders who ducked into France including Hanna de Souza (009) and Mike Hall Bursary rider Mersedeh Chegini (292), both making good progress.

We caught up with Mark Kowalski (243) in the town of Euskirchen trying to work out why his derailleur was clicking. Mark has covered over 300km so far with a calculated 20-minute rest.

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“The sun came up, I had an espresso and sandwich from a bakery, and the energy came back,” said Mark. “The aero bag basket is doing great and I’ve just bought some strawberries. The idea was to get to Frankfurt, but if the energy keeps up I will keep going.”

Today riders will hope to make some inroads through Germany passing Mannheim, Pforzheim, Stuttgart and Augsburg, before heading towards the Alps. With the first major split of the Race still playing out across the tracking map, and a slight majority looking to have stuck further south, there are still countless decisions to be made and paths to be taken. Relishing in the endless possibilities, many riders will still be feeling fresh from the Start, as the Race begins to settle in over the coming days. 

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It’s all to play for and the Race is only just warming up.

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