The world’s longest Ultra-Stage bicycle race, Red Bull Trans-Siberian Extreme 2015, has reached its finish. Ten international athletes cycled 9195 km for 23 days at an average speed of 30 km/h. The Russian team of Mikhail Ignatyev and Ivan Kovalev won the race in the duo category, while Belgium Kristof Allegaert was the quickest amongst solo riders.
Smothering heat, cold, strong head and tail winds, heavy showers, thunders, huge insects, night rides, 1000-km stages, various climate and time zones – that’s just half of the list of challenges the cyclists had to battle during those 23 days on the roads from Moscow to Vladivostok.

“If you compare my world tour and the Red Bull Trans-Siberian Extreme I’d say that the race is much tougher, “ said the only female athlete and a Guinness World Record holder for circling the globe by bike, Paola Gianotti.  “You have to keep the pace, overcome the difficulties and manage without sleep. That’s a truly extreme challenge and I feel it in every inch of my body.”

“It was hard even for the local riders, – said the  2004 men’s track cycling points race gold medalist , Mikhail Ignatyev.” “it was an unusual format for me. Different stages, different physical conditions of the competitors and awful roads made this race a real challenge. I love my bike and it’s a part of me, but there were moments when a thought of getting back on the bike made me scream,” commented the Russian duo team winner.

41-year old Allegaert stormed to triumph in the solo category. “Frankly I’m surprised, – said the Belgian, – I thoroughly prepared for the race but didn’t expect to win. It was an exciting and challenging race. I’m sure there will be plenty of riders wanting to compete in the Red Bull Trans-Siberian Extreme next year”.

Russia is the largest country in the world, covering more than one-eighth of the Earth’s inhabited land area. During the race, the athletes passed 7 time zones, 4 climate zones and crossed the border from Europe to Asia.

RESULTS

Solo Teams

Kristof Allegaert (BEL) 318:57:30
Eduard Fuchs (AUT) 331:52:13
Steve Harvey (UK) 337:35:49
Denis Madjara (RUS) 399:11:43

Duo Teams

Mikhail Ignatyev/Ivan Kovalev (RUS) 282:16:23
Thomas John/Johannes Rosenberger (DEU) 283:41:51
Paola Gianotti/Paolo Aste (ITA) 286:6:46
More content available: HERE

Podium images & google doc.

The last post with more info.
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This year’s edition is over, but the info for 2016 race will be soon available.
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The Red Bull Trans-Siberian Extreme is 9195km long. It takes approximately 9h to travel this distance by plane, 120h by train and 7-9 days by car. Spanning across Europe and Asia and passes through seven timezones and four different climates, the route follow the the longest railway line in the world: the Trans-Siberian Railway. It connects Moscow with the Russian Far East and the Sea of Japan. It has connected Moscow with Vladivostok since 1916.

Four solo riders: Steve Harvey (UK), Eduard Fuchs (AUT), Kristof Allegaert (BEL), Denis Madjara (RUS) and 3 duo teams Paola Gianotti and Paolo Aste (ITA), Thomas John and Johannes Rosenberger (DEU) and Ivan Kovalev and Mikhail Ignatyev (RUS) will be on the roads of Russia for 23 days, to take the human powers to the next level and compete in a challenge of a lifetime.

These nine men and one woman are on target to accomplish this in 23 days on one of the most mesmerizing routes in the world.

You can follow the athletes on www.redbulltranssiberianextreme.com or download the event APP from App store and Android Market.

[Source: Red Bull’s newsroom July 2]

Some additional resources for info on the race:

• Here is a Google Doc with an update from this past Monday.

• Daily updated media from Red Bull. Go direct to videos or images.

• A great post Nigel Wynn did on Cycling Weekly is here.

• Assorted recaps: Stage 1, Stage 4 and Stage 11.