Severin Zotter wins Race Across America (+ video)

Austria’s Severin Zotter has won the 2015 Race Across America (RAAM), completing the 3,004 mile journey from Oceanside, California to Annapolis, Maryland, in 8 days, 8 hours and 17 minutes.

Meanwhile, Shusanah Pillinger is on course to become the first British woman to complete the race solo, having completed more than three quarters of the course.

However, the race has been overshadowed by the news that two-time finisher Anders Tesgaard of Denmark, who is in a coma with a fractured skull after being hit by a pick-up truck.

Zotter, riding RAAM for the first time, arrived in Annapolis shortly after midnight on Thursday, having averaged exactly 15mph on his transcontinental ride.

David Haase of the United States arrived around 12 hours later to finish second, while Denmark’s Peter Sandholdt seems set to complete the podium ahead of his compatriot, Henning Larsen.

But everyone’s thoughts – and those of the two Danes in particular – will be with Tesgaard.

He had been in third place when he was struck from behind by the vehicle near Morgan’s Run, West Virginia.

According to his crew, he was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition, and is in a coma with a fractured skull.

Zotter’s is the fourth victory in five years by an Austrian rider, with Christoph Strasser winning in 2011, 2013 and 2014.

The defending champion was forced to abandon this year’s race just after the halfway point due to a lung infection, but was at the finish line to cheer his friend home, as shown in this video report of Zotter’s win.

There was British involvement in his victory too – his kit is supplied by Scottish firm Endura, who said:

Severin, who hails from Graz in Austria, is a regular visitor to his local Endura dealer, Andas Biken and has been using our products in training for his ultra-endura races. When he asked if we could support him we decided to do so, both to support an outstanding athlete and due to his charitable work for Caritas Steiermark. 

Sevi chose to ride in our innovative FS260-Pro SL Bibshorts, which offer the outstanding comfort for long days in the saddle. Featuring our 700 series pad developed with German bike fit experts, gebioMized, available in 3 different widths for the perfect body match, Italian Power Lycra fabric, Coldblack technology and raw edge comfort cuffs with super fine silicone grippers the Pro SL is an idela short for this gruelling test.  

Other key Endura products which helped to win the world's hardest race were our Airshell Helmet, Crossbow Glasses, FS260 Pro Adrenaline Race Cape and FS260–Pro Aerogel Mitts plus a selection of warmers to keep Sevi comfortable.  

Riders from Austria have won eight of the 34 editions of the race, making it the most successful nation after the United States, with the last home victory coming in 2003.

Meanwhile Pillinger, who is raising money for Hertfordshire Air Ambulance, is currently in Indiana and is heading towards the next checkpoint in Oxford, Ohio.

The 39-year-old, who has ridden more than 2,300 miles at an average speed of around 10.5mph, is now beyond the point where she crashed out of last year’s race with a broken collarbone.

The women’s solo category is being led by Switzerland’s Isabelle Pulver, who has ridden nearly 2,700 miles and has a lead of more than 100 miles over Joan Deitchman of Canada, with Pillinger third.

You can find the full standings in all RAAM categories here, where you also can follow the progress of British teams including the Ruckers and the Rollers, both competing in the eight-person team category and featuring former rugby stars such as Colin Charvis and Rob Wainwright.