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Josh Ibbett after winnng Transcontinental Race 2015 (picture Transcontinental Race on Twitter)British ultra cyclist Josh Ibbett wins 3rd Transcontinental Race
Josh Ibbett has become the first British winner of the Transcontinental race, crossing the finish line in Istanbul tonight about 400 kilometres ahead of his nearest rival, Alexandre Bourgeonnier of France. He completed the near 4,000 kilometre journey in a shade under 10 days - six minutes, to be precise.
The 27-year-old Ibbett, who comes from Brighton, was runner-up last year to Belgium’s Kristof Allegaert, who also won 2013’s inaugural event, with the first two editions starting in London.
This year’s race, which began with 175 riders, started across the Channel at the top of the Muur van Geraardsbergen climb, formerly an iconic feature of the Tour of Flanders, as the clock struck midnight to usher in Saturday 25 July.
Competitors, riding unsupported, could choose their own routes but had to pass through several obligatory checkpoints including another of the sport’s most fabled locations, Mont Ventoux in Provence, plus Italy’s Strada dell’Assietta and the 25 switchbacks to Mount Lovcen National Park in Montenegro.
– See Josh Ibbett’s bike and equipment he used to win the race here
Ibbett, who spoke to road.cc last month about his desire to win the race, lay second to another British rider, James Hayden, as the race headed into Croatia.
But he overtook his rival as Hayden struggled with a condition, Shermer’s Neck, that can affect some long-distance cyclists and has also inspired a Kickstarter campaign for a bike periscope.
Bourgeonnier moved into second place in Montenegro, but as Sunday turned into Monday was two national borders behind Ibbett, who was in Turkey, while the Frenchman was still to enter Bulgaria.
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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10 comments
Hats off to Josh.
Have been watching the tracker since the start (off & on), these guys are amazing, real machines.
Blimey, great effort. Chapeau indeed!
What a guy massive kudos to him!
The distance you quote is just the straight line distance between track points - his on-road total is around 4240km in under 10 days, which makes it even more impressive.
The guy is a machine! Massive amounts of respect go to anyone that completes the ride, but to complete it in under 10 days... WOW
Well done fella, chapeau.
Top ride by Josh.
Unlucky James Hayden.
Online tracking and updates from riders makes this race really good viewing.
Photo's from the start and Mont Ventoux.
Sadly none of Josh as I missed him at the start and was checking into the camp site when Josh and Ultan Coyle passed through. I had spoken to him briefly a few weeks ago when I bought his 2014 TCR wheels off him.
James Hayden was leading by 3.5 hours and looked easy but second place Bernd Paul retired at the summit with sun issues.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/12617230@N03/sets/72157656689190701
I was one of the control staff at Mont Ventoux checking riders in. Myself and my partner did the night shift in our camper van and our French German and Canadian colleagues did the day but we had nowhere else to be. A couple of great days.
Emily Chappell is the lady scoffing a Soreen malt loaf when she arrived a few minutes before midnight in just under 3 days. She eventually retired after some chest pains but nothing terminal it would appear.
Lots of inspiring stories, people arrived on Ventoux shattered and within seconds had a huge smile on there face at the achievment.
Wow, big win. Chapeau! Utter madness, mind! Lol