What does it take to win... the Atlas Mountain Race? An interview with ultracycling hotshot Robin Gemperle

The 2023 winner of the Atlas Mountain Race (AMR) is Robin Gemperle. It took him three days and twenty hours to complete the over 1300 km long and over 23000hm off-road bikepacking race, which was marked by unusually icy temperatures this year. Robin Gemperle used the SUPERNOVA M99 MINI PRO B54 front light to ride at night.

The young Swiss cyclist caused a stir in 2022 at the Transcontinental Race (TCR), surprising the strongest riders with his high speed and aggressive riding style right from the start. It was immediately clear that he was well-prepared and had probably already logged many training kilometers. That doesn't come as a surprise because he has been involved in cycling since childhood. He started out as a mountain biker and later became a fixed-gear enthusiast. He may have overdone it a bit at the TCR, with forced breaks due to seat problems, but he still managed to finish in 8th place.

In an exclusive interview, Robin shared the experiences and lessons he learned from his first two challenges, how he prepares for unsupported bikepacking races, and what he wishes for in his equipment.

What did you go through at AMR? Is there an anecdote you tell everyone who asks you about it?

The more I think about my experience, the clearer it becomes that the whole thing actually turned out super smooth. I was able to follow my plan almost exactly and was able to empty my tank pretty much to the end. So, I never had to exceed any limits and drove super controlled towards my goal. That's why the often told anecdote of my completely self-inflicted flat tire just before the finish line annoys me so much: I was already far away in my head and slashed my rear tire as a result. Although the whole thing remained without consequences thanks to a plug and sufficient lead, I would have liked to say that my Atlas Mountain Race was a clean run. That still bothers me, but it's also a great goal for the next challenge. I also realize that sometimes I just got lucky: when I once again finished three bottles of drinking yogurt, I paid attention to the expiration date, but I didn't see the note on the bottle that the stuff was specifically intended to unclog blockages. This resulted in a night with a few unplanned breaks, but for some reason, it wasn't a big deal. Another great thing was my unexpected first place to sleep: I asked at a small kiosk for a hotel or guesthouse; they knew one, but insisted that I sleep in their kitchen. Nevertheless, I have to say: for outsiders, my race may have been a bit boring, as the big setbacks and stories actually didn't happen.

You are still relatively new in the bikepacking scene, last year at the Transcontinental Race you were suddenly up there with the best. Your racing history includes rather short and intense races (formerly Cross Country MTB, then Fixed Gear Criterium). How did you get into ultracycling?

It was during my time as a fixed gear racer that I began to take an interest in longer distances, probably because I started to consider what really interested me about cycling back then. As a cross country junior rider, there was neither time nor inclination for self-reflection due to my still adolescent age. Together with my brother and a handful of friends, we started with bikepacking trips from our hometown of Aarau to European cities such as Copenhagen, Riga, and others. It became increasingly apparent that I coped well with the long days and other discomforts, which led my friend Julian to convince me to sign up for the TCR. I thought it would be a once-in-a-lifetime story, but I was wrong.

And how do you prepare for a self-supported bikepacking race? Or: Can you prepare for them at all?

In terms of physical fitness, I believe I pursue a fairly classic approach. Simply put: my coach plans, I train, and I trust him. Of course, I have to make sure that my workload remains manageable with my studies and jobs, but I can usually fit in around 8-15 hours per week. I'm much more unconventional when it comes to dealing with everything else. I make last-minute decisions about equipment, study the course in the last hour before the start, and absolutely need a checklist to make sure I don't forget anything. I'm just really fortunate that I have enough understanding of cycling itself, so in the end, pretty much everything runs smoothly.

Why did you choose our B54? What do you particularly like about this front light?

The question about lighting came up relatively early on. I had originally planned to ride with a dynamo, but then realized that the B54 theoretically has enough battery power to get me to the finish line without recharging, even after 4-5 night shifts. I watched a few reviews and found that the lowest light setting also provides enough lumens to ride through easier terrain, and I was already convinced. Nevertheless, I could easily switch to higher power with the handlebar switch, and because the smartphone app works without any effort and easily finds the battery, I would definitely check the charge status daily. Another reason to use a battery-powered front light was the fact that I could simply use my existing Syncros wheelset and didn't have to build a new front wheel. Because of this possibility to ride with lightweight ready-to-ride wheelsets, I am currently even considering switching to a battery system in general and only using my dynamo for easy trips outside of races, especially since there is a better chance to recharge the battery for a few hours during longer events.

What adventures are next on your agenda?

We've been planning to ride our fixed-gear bikes to Pristina for some time now, but it's questionable whether we'll be able to do it, given that the situation in Kosovo is far from stable at the moment. As for racing, I'm going to give the Transcontinental Race another shot this year. I want to learn from the mistakes I made last year. To prepare, I've planned to participate in the Hope1000, which takes place near my home and should hopefully allow me to keep the effort manageable. And if I still have the desire and energy in the fall, I could imagine adding Badlands to my list. But who knows. At the moment, I don't even have a spot reserved, and I certainly wouldn't be the first to overreach in overconfidence.

Thank you for the interview, Robin!

Fotos: Nils Längner / Interview & Text: Levin Sottru