A Swiss participates in the Transcontinental Race

Marco Stalder sees big: only 55 % of. Meanwhile, the participants in the race he is about to compete have reached the arrival in 2024.Image: Andrea Tina Stalder/St.Galler Tagblatt

The figures for the Transcontinental Race shudder any amateur cyclist: approximately 4. In addition, 600 kilometers across Europe, some 55,000 meters of elevation and almost 200 hours of saddle. In addition, Ouch!

Ives Bruggmann

Each week, Marco Stalder spends between swiss participates transcontinental race 3 and 5 p.m. Furthermore, in the saddle with an idea in mind: to complete the legendary transcontinental race. Similarly, A test considered as the hardest and most crazy cycling in Europe. In addition, Last year, only 55% of participants reached the arrival. For example,

Why did the 30-year-old Thurgovian launched such a challenge? Meanwhile, In reality. For example, Marco Stalder started to bike intensively that about six years ago – with a significant asset: his father, Fredy Stalder, holds a bicycle and motorcycle store in Pfyn (Thurgovia). Therefore,

The technical expertise on the equipment was therefore acquired from the start. Similarly, Just like the pleasure of browsing the two -wheeled roads. Meanwhile, It is this pleasure that continues to motivate it today. Similarly, “The rhythm of the bicycle is ideal for perceiving the landscape and observing what swiss participates transcontinental race surrounds us,” he said. Consequently,

During the university holidays of his architecture studies. Similarly, this former amateur footballer began to appreciate the long distances by bike. Meanwhile, He thus ventured to Vienna, Rome or Lisbon. In addition, Until the day his father suggested to him to participate in the “Hope 1000”: a mountain bike race between Romannshorn. Nevertheless, Montreux, 1000 kilometers long, through the Alps, without external assistance. Furthermore, Without a swiss participates transcontinental race large ambition, Stalder decides to try the experience. Meanwhile, Five days later, he crossed the finish line – and realizes that he likes competition, measuring others. Moreover, He then registered with other races, but this time, with a road bike.

In October 2024, he participated in the Transpyrenees, a crossing of the Pyrenees by bicycle. After five and a half days, 2000 kilometers and 40,000 meters of elevation, he finished in fifth place. It is at this point that the ultracycism virus definitively grasped it. He takes part in two other races, including the Atlas Mountain Race in February of this year. He traveled 1300 kilometers there in 4 days and 17 hours, and ranks eleventh in the face of a raised competition. With these experiences, Marco Stalder now feels ready to face the challenge of the Transcontinental Race.

Even swiss participates transcontinental race he recognizes him: “It is still a whole different dimension.” Beyond the countless hours of training. he must, he said, a real conviction, an iron desire and a solid mental endurance. Because the Thurgovien will have to travel 4. 600 kilometers by bike-across Europe, from Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle to Constanţa, by the Black Sea-and this as quickly as possible.

Stronger that the Tour de France

For comparison, the full route of the Tour de France this year totals 3338.8 kilometers. Professional runners complete this distance in 21 stages, with two days of rest. A luxury that Stalder can only dream of: it has set itself the aim of rallying the arrival in. about twelve days. This represents nearly 400 kilometers per day. As a benchmark, the longest stage in the Tour de France 2024 was 209 swiss participates transcontinental race kilometers. Stalder will therefore have to double this distance – every day.

One thing is certain: the resistance capacity of Marco Stalder will be put to the test. In difficult times, Marco Stalder finds comfort in small things. Like candies, from which he never separates. It has a small particular for tangy fluorescent worms. Not only do they bring sugar, but they also have the merit of chewing their morale.

10,000 calories and up to 10 liters of water per day

Food is one of the most crucial aspects of the race. The daily calorie need amounts to around 10,000 calories. “In reality, you can’t eat as much,” admits Stalder. This is why he plans to leave with a maximum of energy gels and sports food. Then he swiss participates transcontinental race will have to fall back on what he will find in supermarkets or service stations along the route. The main thing, in all cases: consume a maximum of sugar and carbohydrates.

Hydration is also essential. You must drink at least six to eight liters of water per day -. even up to ten liters in case of high heat. Stalder will be equipped with two cans for a total of 1.7 liters. And always at hand: a cola can for hard blows.

Another decisive factor: sleep. “My goal is to sleep between three and four hours a night.” As the race begins Sunday evening at 8 p.m., Stalder plans to run without break during the first 24 hours. He plans to give a first rest after about 600 kilometers. In recent years, sleep has gained importance in the swiss participates transcontinental race world of ultracycism. It is often seen that athletes who sleep more quickly advance faster than those who barely sleep.

But there too, the approaches differ. To be able to sleep everywhere, Marco Stalder takes with him a sleeping bag and a floor mattress. However, he favors, as soon as he can, a hotel room. “For recovery, it’s much better.” He can wash his clothes, recharge his batteries and his phone. Because Stalder is completely independent. Electricity – for GPS, telephone and lighting – is vital. He must regularly check his route and reserve his nights over the road.

At the Transcontinental Race. participants must cross five control points, where a stamp is affixed to them, as well as five sections imposed. The swiss participates transcontinental race rest of the route is to be planned yourself. What Stalder passages is it waiting for with the most impatience? “The Col du Tourmalet, but also the Balkans, with Albania and Northern Macedonia.” The Col du Tourmalet, he explains, is the most often borrowed summit in the Tour de France. There is something mythical. “We still often see the names of the runners registered in white paint on asphalt.”

The peloton of the large loop climbed the Tourmalet slopes in 2024.Keystone

As for the swiss participates transcontinental race Balkans, it is the unknown who attracts him. “I have never been there before.” Each day reserves its surprise anyway. He says he appreciates the simplicity that these two weeks come down: “Just roll, eat and sleep.” Marco Stalder says he is ready. Physically, and with regard to his equipment.

In total, he will not take more than 14 kilos, bikes and bags included. All excesses would be unnecessary weight. The adventure will start on Sunday July 27. As for when it ends, even Stalder does not yet know it precisely. “But I have a competitive spirit. and I will keep an eye on my online opponents,” he confides, before getting on his bike and leaving in the direction of Winterthour, leaving the canton of Thurgovie by pedaling.

The race is to follow here: https://dotwatcher.cc.

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Al-Hilal, a team estimated at 196 million euros, will face FC Aarau in a few weeks. In other words: football stars like Théo Hernandez. João Cancelo, Ruben Neves or the successful coach Simone Inzaghi will discover the Brügglifeld. Just this idea ready to smile. The match will take place on Sunday, August 10.