It’s that time again: famous and infamous Transcontinental Race started

The Transcontinental Race is one of the most famous and perhaps the toughest bike rides in the world and the 2024 edition started last night. At the world-famous Roubaix cycling track, 314 cyclists started for a ride that is approximately four thousand kilometers long, must be done completely self-supported and also involves overcoming thousands of altimeters.

The Transcontinental Race takes a different course each year, but is always about four thousand kilometers long and a so-called “A-to-B” race. This year the race started in Roubaix, then rode to the famous ‘Muur van Geraardsbergen’ and from there participants determine their own route. Only condition this year is that they tick off checkpoints in Slovenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo and Turkey before finally reaching the finish line in Turkey. They have about two weeks to do so.

Participants complete the route self-supported, which means they are completely on their own for thousands of kilometers. The event has a large percentage of dropouts each year. Participants decide how they set up the Transcontinental and their balance between cycling and resting.

For many fans from around the world, the start of the Transcontinental Race means they will be glued to their computer screens for the next few weeks simply to follow the participants via dots on a map. You can do so here.