"I wouldn't agree with the idea that you can't really prepare for races like this because so much unexpected can happen. This mindset was widespread in the scene for a long time, but it doesn't reflect how top riders approach the Transcontinental Race."

The young Swiss ultra-cyclist Robin Gemperle is once again making headlines this year with his outstanding performances. On his third attempt, he achieved the long-awaited victory at the Transcontinental Race (TCR), after leaving the two-time reigning champion Christoph Strasser behind early on. Robin had already surprised everyone during his first participation with an aggressive riding style and an impressive 7th place finish. In his second year, he improved to 2nd place. Was victory on his third attempt inevitable?

Our take: Not at all. The race was tougher than ever. Alongside main competitor Strasser, last year’s third-place finisher Tim de Witte returned, and for the first time, Abdullah Zeinab participated, a rider who had already claimed victories in prestigious ultra-races like the TransAm and Rhino Run. Additionally, the TCR finished in Istanbul for the first time, meaning even more racing hours had to be endured in the scorching summer heat of the southern Mediterranean.

However, with an impressive pacing strategy and near-perfect break planning, Robin left no doubt about his top form right from the start. What’s especially remarkable is that Robin achieved this success without being a full-time professional: The 27-year-old is a full-time architecture student. What led him to this outstanding success at the TCR and how he prepared differently this year, you’ll hear directly from him...

RACE INTERVIEW

Congratulations on your victory at the TCR anniversary edition, Robin! It finally worked out on your third attempt, and with an incredibly strong time. What was the key to your success this year, what did you do differently? 

I would say this wasn’t just a single race for me; it was the finale of a three-part series: my first participation was a sort of blind attempt, last year I raced with the ambition to win for the first time, and I took several lessons from those two races. That allowed me to make very targeted improvements for my third attempt. This ranged from the setup, to nutrition, to training. There’s not one single factor I’d highlight; it was more of a continuous optimization across almost all details.

 

 

Is there a story from the race that you tell everyone who asks how it went?

Not really. For me, this year's TCR was a super smooth ride where I never felt like things were going particularly well or particularly poorly. The race unfolded just as I had carefully planned in my strategy. However, a lot of people asked afterward how I managed to have only 8 minutes of stopping time in the first 23 hours while keeping such a high pace without breaks (Robin covered around 750 km with about 6000 meters of climbing on the first day, averaging 32 km/h, Editor's note). In my opinion, people still can't quite grasp how efficiently ultra-cycling races can be ridden: restocking supplies is incredibly fast in Central Europe. You just stop briefly along the route and stock up on everything you need at a kiosk or bakery in seconds. Apart from pure sleep stops, my first “real” break came after 7 days. That was the first time I felt the need to take five minutes off the pedals.

 

 

The TCR has been the highlight of your season for three consecutive years now. What fascinates you so much about it? 

The TCR is an absolute highlight in the scene and a huge challenge, the benchmark event, especially in terms of the high level of competition. For example, Christoph (Strasser, Editor's note) raced again this year, and that’s what makes it so special. The relevance of the race, for me as an athlete, depends on the strength of my competitors. It was clear to me: winning the TCR meant going through Christoph. Without top athletes like him, it would be only half as exciting. To compare it with my previous sport, cross-country mountain biking: back then, I would have preferred to become world champion rather than win a small regional race. Accordingly, I invested a lot more into it. I’m really happy that it worked out this time. But now that I have the victory in my pocket, I’m already wondering whether defending the title even makes sense. For me, it’s much more exciting to look for a new challenge. There are still plenty of races on different terrains, especially off-road, that I’d love to tackle...

 

Is it even possible to prepare precisely for an unsupported race? How do you prepare?

I wouldn't agree with the idea that you can't really prepare for races like this because so much unexpected can happen. This mindset was widespread in the scene for a long time, but it doesn't reflect how top riders approach the Transcontinental Race. I always try to define a clear strategy for how I can win and what it will take to achieve that. For example, this year, I wanted to build a considerable lead right from the start. I trained hard all year and knew I was in the shape to do it. As the race progressed, it was all about managing the unexpected so I could stay on track with my plan. 

 

Why did you choose SUPERNOVA lighting again this time?  

To be honest, there wasn’t really a decision to be made. That part of my setup was an absolute no-brainer! There was never any question that I’d use anything other than the SUPERNOVA B54 PRO again. The light always works flawlessly, it’s super bright, and the battery lasts forever.

What do you particularly like about the B54 PRO? Do you also use dynamo lighting now?

It gives me an incredible sense of security! What I appreciate most is the extremely long battery life on the lowest light intensity. Especially since efficiency and aerodynamics play such a big role in the TCR, I opted for battery-powered lighting for the second time. This allowed me to use better wheels than would have been possible with a hub dynamo. It's a different story with my training bike, where I already use dynamo lighting. In races, I’ll soon be using dynamo lighting on my MTB and gravel bike as well. It makes the most sense when you’re riding in very remote areas.

 

What's next for you? Is there any race you're still missing from your portfolio? What new adventures are you dreaming of?

Yes, of course there are races I still want to win! The Transcontinental Race is definitely one of the most important, biggest, and toughest races in the scene. But I'm also interested in many other events, especially on different terrains. For example, I’m planning to race the Tour Divide and the Silk Road Mountain Race for the first time next year. I might also do the Across Andes in Chile later this year. Next up is the Trans Pyrenees at the end of September, which is another long road race on the agenda. I think it’s going to be incredibly exciting, with many familiar faces like Fiona Kolbinger, Omar di Felice, Anatole Naimi, and Robert Müller. One thing’s for sure: I won’t just accidentally go fast—I’ll be consistently up at the front!

 

 

WHY, HOW, AND WHAT FOR: BATTERY VS. DYNAMO

For cyclists who ride after dark, choosing the right lighting system is crucial. Battery lights offer flexibility and ease of use, while dynamo lights boast virtually unlimited runtime and superior light quality.  The decision between the two depends heavily on individual needs, with factors like riding habits, budget, and technical expertise playing a significant role.

Something that's intrigued us—and perhaps you as well—is why some ultraracers opt for battery lights while others prefer dynamo lights.  Take Robin, for example, who used the B54 PRO battery headlamp during the TCR, and Christoph (Strasser), who chose the M99 DY PRO dynamo headlamp.  Of course, there's no single "better" or "worse" option. However, we suspected there was more to it than just personal preference, so we delved deeper into how Robin and Christoph set up their lighting:

Photos (in this order): Michael Drummond, Tomas Montes, Beatrice Berlanda (for LOST DOT)

Graphic chart: SUPERNOVA

Interview & Text: Levin Sottru, SUPERNOVA