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Three-time winner Christoph Strasser abandons Race Across America (+ video)

Lung infection forces Austrian ultracyclist to stop riding and avoid jeopardising his career

Christoph Strasser, winner of three of the last four editions of the Race Across America (RAAM) and the fastest man ever to complete the coast-to-coast event, was yesterday forced to abandon this year’s race on medical grounds.

The Austrian ultracyclist, who earlier this year set a new record for the greatest distance ridden in 24 hours, said on Facebook that he was suffering from a lung infection and it was too risky to continue riding without jeopardising his career.

He abandoned five days and 1,680 miles into the race from Oceanside, California to Annapolis, Maryland, saying that the decision to do so was “inevitable to avoid long term health problems.”

He added: “The 2009 experience showed that the risk of continuing the race would be too high. I want to keep competing in the future so my health is most important.”

Strasser’s crew doctor, Arnold Schulz, said: “In spite of the short term recovery after leaving the high altitude [of the Rockies] and the will to continue the race his health didn’t improve significantly.”

He added that it was “a tough but correct decision” for the rider not to continue in the race, and one that had been taken jointly.

Schulz added: “In spite of the short term recovery after leaving the high altitude [of the Rockies] and the will to continue the race his health didn’t improve significantly,

When he won RAAM last year, Strasser did so in a record 7 days, 15 hours and 56 minutes.

The men’s solo category is currently being led by his compatriot, Severin Zotter.

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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pedalpowerDC | 9 years ago
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Such a crazy event. It's impressive that he has the clarity to make that decision. I suppose the team Doc is there to help with these kinds of decisions and urge appropriately.

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Das | 9 years ago
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Makes P2B look like a sunday jolly. Muchcos Qudos.

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Gkam84 | 9 years ago
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Gutted for him, he's a machine. Hope he recovers well and is back to racing when he's healthy.

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