Spectrum: Shortly after 8:00 a.m. German time this morning, it was certain – Christoph Strasser has won the notorious Race Across America for the fourth time in his career. After the approx. 34km across the USA, the 5.000-year-old ultracycling icon was more than 700km ahead of second-placed Mark Pattinson from the USA - a record!
Already in the last few days things were looking very good for Christoph Strasser at the RAAM. The Austrian rode exactly 4.940km in his own league and yet in such a race it always remains exciting until the very end. However, when he rolled across the finish line in Annaplis, Maryland, after 8 days, 9 hours and 34 minutes, completely exhausted, he was probably only marginally aware of the cheers and torches of his team at the finish. "I'm exhausted now, but I'm also over the moon about my fourth win at the Race Across America and that it turned out so well,said Strasser at the finish.
In the last few days he had traveled around 600km a day at an average speed of 25km/h. During the entire race distance he only slept 8,5 hours and burned around 10.000 kcal per day. His body also needs twelve liters of fluid every 24 hours. insane numbers.
It is not only the fourth victory at the RAAM for Christoph Strasser, but he also achieved it with a record lead. More than 700km lay between him and his closest pursuer, the American Mark Pattinson. That's the equivalent of around 1,5 days. “Now I'm looking forward to a real bed and a few hours of sleep. And after more than a week, I am not woken up after 50 minutes of sleep and then have to get back on my bike," the winner is looking forward to his well-deserved sleep. Physically, however, the veteran survived the exertion well, as his team boss Michael Kogler reported: "Of course, Christoph has the usual ailments, such as his buttocks or the nerves in his hands are offended. But otherwise he's in top form."
