The miracle of Brest: Fiona Kolbinger wins Transcontinental Race

August 16, 2019

All (men) in front: With over a 10 hour ahead of the runner -up, Fiona Kolbinger made it to the finish line after 4000km and 4000000 at the Transcontinental Race 2019.

We write August 6, 2019. Everyone knows that this date will go into the history of cycling. At exactly 7 a.m. 48, Fional Kolbinger wins thatTranscontinental Race Trcno.7. The 24-year-old denies the 4,000 km and 40,000 m in 10 days, 2 hours and 48 minutes. With over a 10-hour lead, she depends on second-placed Ben Davis. For the first time in the history of the famous long -distance race, a female winner is entering the home stretch. After the spectacular victory of the Ultra Endurance runner Jasmin Paris at Spine Race over 431 km in January 2019 and the success of Lael Wilcox 2016 at the 6800 km long Trans am Bike Race, this record is part of a number of women for first placement at Ultra Endurance competitions .

To the astonishment for the victory of this new appearance in the sky of victory - even by a woman - the newly baked doctor answers the journalist Tom Bonnett, who for the latest episode of theTranscontinental Podcast interviewed with a relaxed explanation. An Ultra Discount Race is not just about physical assets, and above all not exclusively about testosterone levels. The route had to be well planned, food purchases were done quickly and the wheel is maintained. Do with little sleeping and break times, no time drop, things like that. In the case of short distance races, the physical condition is much more determined.

TheTranscontinental Race is one of the hardest bike races in the world. This year it begins in the Bulgarian city of Burga on the Black Sea and ends, crossing the European continent, in the Breton port town of Brest in France. The special thing: In this race, the travelers are on their own and decide individually about the route and their rest. "The Clock Never Stops", according to the self -description of the TCR. Only the four checkpoints have to be passed on the way.

But through character strength alone, she does not seem to have won this race. Perseverance, speed, efficiency: When your strava profile is analyzed, these qualities immediately catch the eye. Fiona has already had some solid long distances. However, it is a new publication in the world of the Ultra Discount Races.

Humor, she has it too. She tells of her collision with the Serbian border fence. Actually, she just wanted to wave - otherwise you don't meet others so often. Nevertheless, she had to wait half an hour for her ID. The border chief had to be notified first. The repeated "Hey, I'm on a race" didn't help.

WOran does someone think that is in the lead for the first time in his life in a long -distance race? A large part of the trip had spent how many kilometers until the next checkpoint, how much time will probably be up to the next border. The cell phone immediately switched off when the media rush started. It prefers to take on the breathtaking nature and let them ward off in the thoughtlessness.

She also took the lead by chance. Shortly after control point 2 at once heavy rain when she steps out of the supermarket. It is already late, Fiona opts for a sleeping unit. The place she chosen appears to her shady. There, in the middle of the night, the decision to continue. That was the moment. And the "Race Mode"? Occurred shortly after the Austrian border. It is good in the mountainous site, she knows that.

At the third checkpoint, she has already left all the fellow leaders behind and, after a night, is expanding its lead with a height rise of 5,000 m over 160 km. The 24-year-old reaches control point four after seven and a half days and 2,500 km. And what is the first thing she does when she arrives in the hotel? The Lion Sleeps Tonight play on the lobby piano. Just like that, out of a mood. After seven days that she slept on the roadside in her bivouac on an average of four hours. You have to do that first!

Whe the winners of the past four years before her, Fiona has for the Transcontinental on the Supernova E3 Triple 2 leave. It is not for nothing that the power spotlight is used by many Ultra Endurance athletes. As one of the brightest dynamic curators in the world, it only needs minimal energy and is ready at any time of the day. With the E3 Triple 2 If this is possible without any problems, it shines as long as the wheels turn and even 5 minutes longer through the built -in parking light.

We at Supernova are very happy about Fiona's victory and are proud with oursE3 Triple 2 to be able to go into history as a small part! Congratulations, Fiona!

Text: Myriel Hauser ι Image material: Angus sung / James Robertson ι Quote: Transcontinental / Fiona Kolbinger