What does it take... to win the TCR for the second time in a row? Let's talk to extreme cyclist Christoph Strasser!

Expertly geared for success, Christoph Strasser rode through resistance and emerged victorious at the Transcontinental Race No. 9, solidifying his status as an ultracycling maestro. Despite being relatively fresh on the 'unsupported' scene, the seasoned Race Across America (RAAM) champion showcased his unparalleled endurance and strategy in ultra-long distance cycling. Clocking an extraordinary time of 8 days, 16 hours, and 30 minutes across 3,939 kilometers from Belgium to Greece, Christoph clinched a back-to-back triumph at the TCR.

Barreling through Europe, Christoph grappled with relentless hurdles. The inaugural slog was a test of spirit against days of relentless precipitation—a test that would make lesser riders ponder a retreat. Threading through the Alps and the Balkans, he exchanged leads with Swiss pacesetter Robin Gemperle. In Albania, he battled the punishing gauntlet of unkempt roads. The final stretch in Greece was marred with a painful gear breakdown and the disappearance of his tracker, amplifying the suspense. Yet, Christoph had already carved out a substantial lead, coasting through the finish with a solid 6-hour buffer over Gemperle.

His 2023 campaign at the TCR was a tableau of fortitude, as he recounted in an insightful, personal debrief. Get ready for a deep dive into his peloton-worthy perspectives.

Congratulations on the double, Christoph. What did you go through at TCRNo09? Is there an anecdote that you tell everyone who asks you about it? 

As with every race, there were quite a few difficult and challenging sections during the Transcontinental 2023. However, the positive and beautiful experiences definitely outweighed them.

When I think back to the low points, the first thing that comes to mind is the wet and cold weather from the start until we reached the Alps, which caught us off guard repeatedly. There was light rain during the first night, heavy rain in Switzerland, and then intermittent showers in Italy and Austria. Especially at night, it was also dangerous because visibility worsens on wet asphalt despite having good lighting, and the road surface becomes slippery in curves. The cold also took a toll on the body; the skin on the buttocks became tender, causing discomfort while sitting. Staying hydrated became challenging, and my fingers were nearly freezing.

The next low point were the road conditions in Albania, where normal national roads, marked as major yellow highways on Google Maps, turned out to be kilometers-long gravel tracks, forcing the speed to drop significantly. Hands, feet, and buttocks suffered greatly from the vibrations.

However, the worst part for me was the last 150 kilometers on the finisher course set by the race organizers. It's always the case: Difficulties that you prepare for are manageable. The gravel section on Course 3, for example, was also tough, but I knew it would be that way. The numerous mountain passes were equally challenging, but I knew exactly what to expect. However, with all the crises described, especially on the finisher course, it came unexpectedly. The off-road sections before the finish caused me to fall, I lost my tracker, and I got a flat tire. In the middle of the night, I had to walk one kilometer back in deep and damp sand to search for my tracker, using only my phone's light because my battery-powered reserve light had run out. After finally finding my tracker and fixing the tire, I pushed the bike until I reached asphalt again because I was so demoralized and didn't want to experience any further failures.

For most people, you have always been the legendary Christoph Strasser. But how did you actually get into ultracycling?

There isn't a deep story behind it, really. I simply found the sport to be very intriguing and exciting when I followed it in the media. In Austria, the Race Across America (RAAM) had been popular for many decades. We had Franz Spilauer as the first European RAAM champion, and Wolfgang Fasching's success created a true hype around the Race Across America. TV and newspapers were filled with stories, and I thought to myself, "When I grow up, I want to give it a try too. The combination of adventure and racing fascinates me."



At the age of 20, without ever having participated in a cycling race, I spontaneously took part in a 24-hour race. Originally, the plan was to join a 4-person relay team with friends, but after several cancellations, I decided to give it a try solo. I was really bad at it; I rode a few laps, slept for 8 hours, and then rode a few more laps. Mind you, I was using a mountain bike on a road circuit, wearing running shorts, a t-shirt, and a baseball cap because I didn't have any proper cycling gear yet.

It was incredibly fascinating for me to see that there were people who could ride continuously for 24 hours without a break, and that inspired me. I started training, saved up for my first road bike, and five years later, I achieved my first successes. I won that 24-hour race and secured podium finishes at events like Race Around Slovenia, Glocknerman, RATA, and other 24-hour races, which allowed me to qualify for the Race Across America (RAAM). Year after year, I aimed to improve myself in small steps.

How do you prepare for an unsupported race? Can you be prepared at all?

My starting point here is certainly very specific. I have participated in the RAAM 9 times, the Race Around Austria 5 times, and I have cycled across Australia in under 7 days, as well as completed individual time trials over 1000km in 24 hours. Over the course of 15 years of ultra-cycling races with a support team, I have built a strong physical foundation, and I do not have to train differently for unsupported races. For me, it involves year-round preparation with a coach who tailors my training program to 20-30 hours per week for 11 months of the year.

The preparation for me is different when it comes to unsupported races. It involves planning the route, gathering information about the route, testing and optimizing equipment, and adjusting the nutrition strategy from high-quality liquid nutrition to relying on supermarket and gas station food.

In contrast to the RAAM, the preparation for the TCR (Transcontinental Race) is much simpler because the factor of 'team composition' is eliminated. With the RAAM, there are countless things to organize: luggage transport, bookings for support vehicles and team accommodations. You consider many plans and worst-case scenarios for the race, seeking solutions in advance for any potential problems to solve them immediately during the race without wasting time. In unsupported races, you have to embrace the unpredictable and cannot prepare for many circumstances because you can hardly bring anything with you. Regarding equipment, it's about testing, comparing, and minimizing. For example, I have to decide on the best lighting system. With the RAAM, I simply bring four different lamps and can swap them at any time.

Why did you choose SUPERNOVA lighting? What do you particularly like about each product (e.g., DY PRO vs. AIRSTREAM)?

Of course, it's primarily due to the quality, high-quality craftsmanship, and brightness. The lights are very durable, and I haven't managed to break anything. Moreover, I have discovered a new preference for dynamo lighting, which I was not familiar with and did not need until recently. Having good lighting gives me a sense of security at night and also helps alleviate the issue of fatigue.

To be more specific, when do you use battery-powered lighting and when do you use dynamo lighting?

Until now, I have mostly used dynamo lighting because I can also use the dynamo to charge my phone and Garmin device. It just makes sense to utilize the dynamo for powering the lights as well. This saves overall weight and provides independence. The only minor drawback is the slight resistance caused by the dynamo. When carrying a large battery for lighting and power banks for other devices, additional weight is always involved. Moreover, there is a theoretical risk of losing the power banks, charging takes time, and eventually, the battery capacity will diminish.

I actually only use battery-powered lights for short events, such as races lasting for only one night or a few hours of darkness, like 24-hour races. For instance, the Airstream is almost as bright as the powerful M99, but the battery life on the highest setting is quite short. So, depending on my speed, I switch between different modes: I use the lower setting when going uphill and switch to full power when riding at high speed. This way, the battery lasts perfectly for one night.

Is there any race missing in your portfolio? What new adventures do you dream of?

Currently, I dream of races with a large and competitive field at the start. I am more drawn to the competition aspect than the adventure; perhaps I am wired a bit differently than others. I am often motivated to participate in the same races repeatedly because it allows me to measure and challenge myself, striving for improvement. For a pure adventure, I wouldn't necessarily need a race; I would prefer to embark on it without a race number. However, when I sign up for a race, I find it fantastic if the level of competition is high. As long as the races mostly take place on the road and are sufficiently long, my passion for them burns strong.

For those who want to know more specifically about what Christoph (and other riders) went through during the TCR, it is recommended to tune in to his SITZFLEISCH PODCAST (Episodes 132-140).

Interview & Text: Levin Sottru

Photos: Lex Karelly