Transcontinental Race

The Transcontinental Race is the definitive self-supported bicycle race across Europe. At the sharp end it is a beautifully hard bicycle race, simple in design but complex in execution. Factors of self reliance, logistics, navigation and judgement burden racers’ minds as well as their physiques. The strongest excel and redefine what we think possible while many experienced riders target only a finish.

TCRNo9 will start once more on the now familiar cobbles of the Muur van Geraardsbergen at 10pm on the evening of Sunday the 23th July. The atmosphere created by the people of Geraardsbergen has become part of the Transcontinental legend, the torch-lit climb flanked with cowbell ringing well wishers; the perfect send off for our intrepid riders.

Historically the Muur-Kapelmuur famously featured as the penultimate and decisive climb of the Tour of Flanders or De Ronde. The steep, cobbled ascent shaping many memorable races, creating many ‘Flahute’ legends and thrilling generations of cycling fans. The relatively short climb has an average and maximum incline of 9% and 20% respectively, the cobblestones delivering a variety of challenges depending on the time of year and weather conditions. The climb is synonymous with the ‘hard men’ of the past and their exploits over difficult terrain, long distances and the infamous Flandrian mud.

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