Shaking up the Bikepacking Scene at the First Attempt

Having a clear mind is crucial

Initially, the newcomer looked like finishing "only" in the top 10. However, by the end, he had built up quite a lead. Starting slowly and calmly and only increasing his pace later on, paid off well for him. Christoph's powerful solo ride to the ferry station to get from Romania to Bulgaria was probably the most important part of the race. He got there in time while his pursuers missed the ferry and had to wait until the next day.


The real surprise of the TCR was how well he handled the overall situation: "The TCR requires much more mental clarity than the RAAM - where you don't have to think about anything," Christoph said recently in an interview with TOUR. He said he tried to sleep three hours at a time to stay mentally fit enough to manage the whole shebang. In contrast, other top riders just napped for just 10-20 mins a day.

"You need to be mentally fit enough to react quickly at any time if, for example, you go off route, break down, urgently need to sleep, or run out of food.", Christoph tells us. These were all things that happened to him (and that his team would have taken care of at RAAM.) Christoph reported on the details of the race and his preparation in his podcast "Sitzfleisch": https://open.spotify.com/show/26Z87jcnHq7JhblGgevfMP?si=3cea22e1177c4afc)

Can't get brighter than this

It's not surprising that Christoph wanted a carefree power supply and lighting package, given the challenges he faced. The M99 DY PRO was exactly what he was looking for: "I debated for a long time whether to use a hub dynamo or power banks. There are also countless ways to charge navigation systems and mobile phones using the dynamo. The DY PRO was the easiest solution. I can't believe how bright the light is! It gives you great safety, especially on downhill sections." (His Airstream 2 served as a backup, as the TCR requires a secondary front light).

Being treated with respect

Christoph admits pedaling a few extra watts during the day to ride with his lights on. He is a big fan of daytime running lights: "I often activate the lights during the day on busy roads. Undoubtedly, a cyclist's lights make a difference to oncoming traffic; you are treated with much more respect. Safety is paramount when dealing with such mentally and physically challenging situations. Even in a tired, critical state, feeling reasonably comfortable on the road can determine the course of the race. Good equipment is crucial.”

Shake it up again?

Christoph isn't sure whether he is going to defend his title in the TCR next year: "I'm attracted to both RAAM and TCR, although both in one year might be too much for the body. I think it would be better to ride a big highlight in absolute top form and then take some time to regenerate fully. During a supported race, the experience with your team is especially enjoyable. By concentrating only on cycling, you can really get the most out of your body. Races without support are more of an adventure and challenge riders at all levels - which is just as appealing." Now he wants to relax and take a holiday before preparing for the new season at the end of November. When registrations for TCR No9 open, we'll find out if he's eager to race again. Hopefully, Christoph will have a great winter. We'll keep you updated!

More info on Christoph Strassers SUPERNOVA dynamo front light...


Interview & Text: Levin Sottru / Translation: Mary Jaksch / Photos: Tadek Ciechanowski