Happy to present you my personal list of 2026 Ultra Distance Cycling Challenges and Races. For the past six years, ultra-distance cycling has shaped not only how I ride, but how I think, plan, and live. What began as curiosity about how far I could push myself has evolved into a structured, intentional pursuit of performance.
I’ve climbed Mont Ventoux six times in a single ride at the Bicinglé de Ventoux, completed multiple indoor and outdoor Everesting challenges, conquered a 10K Everesting on the Ballon d’Alsace, ridden the Tour du Mont Blanc Cyclo, completed a 24 hours cycling challenge and taken on the 500 km Pyrénées-Orientales ultra-distance race with Ultra Bike France. Each experience added layers; resilience, patience, strategy. As 2026 unfolds, it brings with it a lineup of races and challenges that feel like a culmination of everything I’ve learned and everything I still aim to conquer.
This year, I’m chasing personal bests, and who knows… maybe even a place on the podium. Here’s a deep dive into my personal favourite ultra-distance races of 2026. What they are, why they matter, and how I’m preparing to meet them head-on.
The Essence of Ultra Distance Cycling
Ultra-distance cycling is often misunderstood. From the outside, it looks like prolonged suffering on a bicycle. Inside the sport, it’s something far more nuanced: a complex interplay of physiology, psychology, strategy, nutrition, sleep management, and self-awareness.
Ultra races are not won by peak FTP alone. They are won by:
- Aerobic durability
- Intelligent pacing
- Precision fueling
- Emotional control
- Adaptability
Over the years, I’ve learned that ultra cycling rewards restraint more than aggression. The rider who can manage energy most intelligently usually prevails. Not necessarily the one who produces the highest short-term power. And in 2026, that philosophy guides everything. Up to my 2026 ultra distance cycling races and challenges overview.
The Cornerstones of My 2026 Ultra Distance Cycling Races and Challenges Season
UBF Les Alpes 500 km — June 6, 2026
There’s a special kind of magic in mountain roads — not just in how they test your legs, but how they cultivate grit.
The UBF Les Alpes 500 km ultra challenge is exactly that kind of experience: a stunning slice of high-Alpine adventure where nearly 10,000 m of climbing awaits over 500 kilometres of road. Riders must navigate cols like the legendary Col d’Izoard and Col de Vars, weaving through mountain gorges and scenic high passes before returning for a demanding finale back into Briançon.
Unlike shorter brevets or traditional gran fondos, UBF is done in autonomy. You carry your kit, manage your nutrition, and keep yourself rolling with only minimal organizational support. It’s raw, honest, and unforgiving. The perfect test of both strength and cerebral racing. During their 500 km races there is one checkpoint where you can eat something or drop a personal bag with additional food or clothing.
Why It’s On My 2026 Ultra Distance Cycling Challenges and Races List
I’ve tackled alpine climbs before, but nothing on this scale. In the meantime I have conquered Alpes cols like Alpe D’Huez, Passo dello Stelvio, Col d’Iseran, Col d’Izoard, the Galibier, Passo di Gavia, Passo di Mortirolo, Passo Pordoi and Passo Gardena at least once and I have completed the 330 km 8800 metres of elevation at the Tour du Mont Blanc Cyclo. But this will be different. The distance married with relentless elevation makes it a unique test of energy management. There’s no pacing strategy quite like saving enough to climb after 400 km of hard riding, then go again.
I see Les Alpes not just as a race, but as a moment to “level up” — to see what a year of structured training and smarter race planning can do. Every corner, every ascension is a chance to refine my pacing and nutrition, to ride with intention rather than just effort. And let’s be honest — with climbs this legendary, the backdrop itself fuels a kind of ambition that pushes you harder than any coach could.
Yes, I think you can feel that I am in love with the Alpes. Not only for cycling by the way, but also for skiing. The Alps are not just mountains. They are rhythm and silence, light and shadow, effort and reward woven into one endless ribbon of road. Every climb feels like a conversation with the sky, every descent like flight without wings. The air is thinner, clearer, almost sacred, and as the valleys open beneath you, fatigue turns into gratitude. In the Alps, cycling becomes more than movement — it becomes poetry written in sweat and altitude.
Another reason to participate at this particular event is the organization itself: UBF.
A Word About Ultra Bike France (UBF)
I also want to take a moment to acknowledge the organisation behind these extraordinary events: Ultra Bike France (UBF). My experience during the 2025 500 km UBF Pyrénées-Orientales challenge was overwhelmingly positive. Not only because of the demanding and beautifully designed course, but because of how exceptionally well-structured and professionally organised the event was. Everything felt prepared with precision: clear communication, thoughtful route planning, reliable checkpoints, and a strong sense of safety without compromising the autonomous spirit of ultra cycling.
What truly sets UBF apart, however, are the people behind it. Hubert and Jean-Marc are not just organisers. They are passionate ultra cyclists themselves, approachable, supportive, and genuinely invested in every rider’s experience. Their friendliness and availability create an atmosphere that feels both competitive and welcoming. And importantly, UBF makes ultra-distance cycling accessible: if 500 km feels like one step too far, they also offer 200 km and 300 km alternatives within their events. This allows riders to grow into the ultra world at their own pace. That combination of professionalism, passion, and inclusiveness is rare. And it’s one of the reasons I’m proud to return for Les Alpes 2026.
Everesting World Championship — Mount Etna — September 26, 2026
Everesting is simple in concept: repeat a climb until you accumulate 8,848 meters of elevation; the height of Mount Everest. But simplicity hides brutality.
The Everesting World Championship on Mount Etna transforms this challenge into elite competition. Etna’s volcanic slopes provide a relentless, steady gradient. Perfect for rhythm, but merciless over time. Unlike point-to-point ultras, Everesting removes variation. There is no new scenery. No shifting terrain. Just repetition. Climb. Descend. Repeat.
Success here is about:
- Fixed power discipline
- Zero ego pacing
- Micro-fueling strategy
- Psychological segmentation
The key isn’t climbing hard. It’s climbing consistently. Every ascent must feel almost identical to the one before. I’ve completed multiple Everesting challenges before — indoors and outdoors — but the championship environment changes the stakes. It’s no longer just about finishing. It’s about competing at the highest level of vertical endurance.
Why is it on my 2026 Ultra Distance Cycling Challenges and Races list
The Everesting World Championship on Mount Etna is firmly on my 2026 ultra-distance list because it represents something far bigger than just another vertical challenge. Riding the flanks of an active volcano is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Etna’s stark lava fields, vast open skies, and raw, lunar-like scenery create a backdrop unlike anywhere else I’ve ever ridden. It’s not just about accumulating 8,848 meters of elevation; it’s about doing it in a place that feels almost otherworldly.
At the same time, this championship is my opportunity to measure myself against the best and truly see where I stand after years of structured training, Everesting attempts, and ultra-distance races. It’s a performance benchmark. An honest answer to the question of how far I’ve really come.
What makes the event even more compelling is its accessibility. If you’re not ready for a full Everesting yet, you can register for Half (02), Quarter (04), or Eighth (08) Everesting formats. Different distances exist for every level of climber, and you can ride solo or as part of a team of 2, 4, or 8, sharing the effort and the experience.
Another decisive factor for me is the road-closure principle: knowing that the course is closed to traffic makes the entire challenge safer and allows full focus on performance, pacing, and the pure rhythm of climbing.
And beyond the competition, there’s the personal pull: I’ve never been to Sicily before, and as a true globetrotter, riding on Etna’s volcanic roads feels like one of those experiences I simply must have at least once in my life.
LPL Challenge 1250 km — August 25, 2026
The LPL Challenge (Liège–Paris–Liège) 1250 km is a multi-country ultra cycling odyssey crossing Belgium, France, Germany, and Luxembourg, featuring roughly 18,000 meters of climbing. This race is about self-sufficiency and cumulative fatigue.
It’s not a one-day battle. It’s a multi-day negotiation between body and mind.
In events like LPL, performance hinges on:
- Sleep management
- Long-term nutrition consistency
- Strategic rest timing
- Emotional regulation
Sleep deprivation science is clear:
- Reaction time declines
- Cognitive clarity drops
- Emotional responses intensify
- Risk-taking increases
In ultra-distance cycling, that combination can be dangerous. I no longer see sleep as weakness.
I see it as strategy. Planned short sleep blocks, often 90 to 120 minutes, allow physical reset without excessive stiffness or loss of rhythm. The goal is not to eliminate fatigue, but to manage it. LPL is a race where maturity outperforms recklessness and that suits me perfectly.
Why it is on my 2026 Ultra Distance Cycling Challenges and Races list
The LPL Challenge (Liège–Paris–Liège) 1250 km is on my 2026 list because it represents the perfect bridge between where I am now and where I ultimately want to go. The Transcontinental Race sits very high on my bucket list for the coming years, and LPL feels like the ideal introduction to the demands of true multi-day ultra-distance racing, managing sleep, navigation, nutrition, and pacing over several consecutive days.
I chose this event as my first multi-day ultra because I know many of the roads and the environment, yet it still offers breathtaking diversity and legendary terrain: winding through the charming stone villages of the Gaume Natural Park and the UNESCO-listed historic heart of Nancy, across “Little Finland” in the Ballons des Vosges Regional Natural Park, over the Super Planche des Belles Filles, the Grand Ballon, and the magnificent Route des Crêtes.
From there the route crosses into Germany’s mountainous Hunsrück and historic Trier, continues into Luxembourg’s dramatic Mullerthal — the “Little Switzerland” — before returning through the forests and lakes of the Eifel, passing picturesque Monschau, and finally closing the loop in the iconic Ardennes landscapes of Liège–Bastogne–Liège. It is not just a race — it is a journey across cultures, terrains, and history, and the perfect proving ground before I one day stand on the start line of the Transcontinental Race.
If 1250 km still feels intimidating, the organisation also offers the 440 km LPL SPRING (23 May 2026, noon – 25 May 2026, 6 pm), making the experience accessible at different levels. For me, however, the full distance is calling.
Rondje IJsselmeer — The Dutch Efficiency Test
The Rondje IJsselmeer may lack alpine passes, but it offers something equally demanding: sustained exposure. Roughly 300 km around the IJsselmeer in the Netherlands, the route is predominantly flat, exposed, and wind-affected. Flat ultras are deceptive. Without climbs to vary muscle recruitment or descents to recover, the rider must hold consistent aerodynamic position for hours on end.
The limiting factors become:
- Core stability
- Aerodynamic efficiency
- Wind strategy
- Nutrition precision
It’s a different kind of suffering; quieter, more subtle. And equally valuable as preparation.
Why it is on my 2026 Ultra Distance Cycling Challenges and Races list
Rondje IJsselmeer is on my 2026 list not because the 300 km distance intimidates me, given my ultra-distance background, it’s a very manageable challenge. But because it feels like the perfect in-between adventure: long enough to demand focus and discipline, yet flexible enough to fit into my broader training structure. I had planned to ride it over the past two years, but ongoing works on the Afsluitdijk meant a temporary closure and an unavoidable bus transfer for part of the route, which took away from the purity of the full loop. Now that the roadworks are finally completed, the route can once again be ridden uninterrupted, as it should be.
Beyond that, I simply love riding close to the water; while I thrive in the mountains, there’s something deeply calming and powerful about long stretches near the seafront, open skies, and exposed dikes where wind becomes your main opponent. This 300 km loop offers exactly that balance. Although there is one official group ride organised by NL Tour Rides on June 26 this year, it doesn’t align with my training calendar, so I’ve decided to ride it solo, on my own terms, at the right moment in my preparation, whenever the conditions and my legs feel right.
My training plan for these 2026 Ultra Distance Cycling Challenges
Ultra-distance cycling isn’t a seasonal hobby, it’s a year-round commitment. My training calendar for my 2026 ultra distance cycling challenges and races revolves around three main phases:
Winter: Base Building & Precision Work (November – February)
Winter is where durability is built.
This is when I rely heavily on Zwift custom training plans on my Cycplus T7 Indoor Trainer. Structured indoor sessions allow me to control intensity precisely. No traffic lights, no weather interruptions, no coasting downhill. Just targeted work.
Interested in the Cycplus T7 indoor bike? Read my indoor bike review here and feel free to use my Cycplus discount code VELOFANATICS if you want a 5% discount on their products.
Using Zwift’s custom workouts, I focus on:
- Zone 2 aerobic base training (60–75% FTP)
- Sweet spot intervals (88–94% FTP)
- Low cadence strength efforts
- Progressive long endurance sessions indoors (up to 4–5 hours)
Why Zone 2 Matters
Scientific research shows that prolonged training in Zone 2 improves:
- Mitochondrial density
- Fat oxidation capacity
- Capillary growth
- Aerobic efficiency
Ultra-distance cycling is overwhelmingly aerobic. The better your mitochondria function, the more efficiently you convert fuel into sustainable power over 10, 20, or even 40 hours.
Winter isn’t glamorous. But it’s where I build the engine that carries me through the Alps and up Mount Etna.
Spring: Specificity & Climbing Focus (March – May)
As outdoor riding becomes consistent, I shift into specific preparation.
For events like UBF Les Alpes 500 km, climbing durability is critical. That means:
- Long back-to-back climbing days
- Simulated race nutrition during 6–8 hour rides
- Tempo efforts on long climbs
- Descending skills practice
- Fatigue resistance sessions (hard intervals after 4+ hours)
There’s a concept in endurance science called “durability”; the ability to maintain power output late in an event. It’s not just about peak FTP; it’s about how little that FTP declines after 8 hours of riding.
To improve durability, I deliberately train under accumulated fatigue. Not recklessly, but strategically.
Summer: Race Simulation & Recovery Management
As ultra races approach (LPL in August, Etna in September), the focus shifts to:
- Long race-pace rides
- Overnight simulations
- Sleep strategy practice
- Heat adaptation sessions
- Tapering intelligently
Heat training is especially relevant for events like the Everesting World Championship on Mount Etna. Research shows that heat adaptation increases plasma volume and improves cardiovascular efficiency. These are benefits that extend even into cooler conditions.
So yes, sometimes I train in extra layers on purpose.
The Science Behind My Strategy
Ultra-distance racing success rests on a few key physiological pillars:
Aerobic Efficiency > Raw Power
Ultra races are rarely won at threshold. They’re won at sub-threshold efficiency.
Improving:
- Lactate clearance
- Fat metabolism
- Cardiac stroke volume
allows me to ride faster at lower relative effort.
That’s why most of my training time is spent below threshold, not smashing intervals daily.
Pacing Strategy: The Real Performance Multiplier
Studies in endurance sports consistently show that even pacing outperforms aggressive starts in long-duration events.
In my early ultra attempts, I made the classic mistake:
Start strong. Feel amazing. Pay for it later.
Now my strategy is simple:
- Cap early effort strictly below target intensity.
- Monitor heart rate drift.
- Protect glycogen stores.
- Ride the first third “too easy.”
Ultra-distance cycling punishes ego.
Especially when podium ambitions are involved.
Nutrition during my ultra distance cycling challenges
Nutrition is where many ultra races are lost. Over the years, I’ve experimented with countless fueling strategies. What I’ve settled on, and refined, is a structured plan centered around Maurten hydrogel products and Maurten Drink Mix 320.
Why Maurten?
Because of the science behind it. Maurten’s hydrogel technology encapsulates carbohydrates in a gel matrix that passes through the stomach more efficiently. This reduces gastrointestinal distress — one of the most common failure points in ultra events.
Scientific studies support:
- Carbohydrate intake up to 90–120g per hour when combining glucose and fructose.
- Improved performance with high-carb fueling in endurance events.
- Reduced gut distress when carbohydrate delivery is optimized.
During long ultras, I aim for:
- 80–100g carbs per hour (sometimes more depending on intensity)
- Electrolytes adjusted for heat
- Real food supplementation during multi-day events
But beyond science, there’s personal experience.
I use Maurten because:
- My stomach tolerates it under high stress.
- It works at both low and moderate intensities.
- It allows me to fuel aggressively without nausea.
In events like LPL 1250, consistency matters more than flavor fatigue. Nutrition isn’t something I “wing” anymore. It’s rehearsed in training, repeatedly.
Maurten Drink Mix 320
Alongside the gels, Maurten Drink Mix 320 plays a central role in my fueling strategy, especially during longer ultra efforts where consistency is everything. Each serving delivers 80 grams of carbohydrates in a 500 ml bottle, using the same hydrogel technology that allows for high carbohydrate intake with reduced gastrointestinal distress. What I appreciate most about Drink Mix 320 is its simplicity and reliability: it provides a dense, efficient energy source without an overly sweet taste or sticky texture, which becomes crucial after 8, 12, or even 20 hours in the saddle.
Scientifically, combining glucose and fructose enables higher carbohydrate absorption rates by utilizing multiple intestinal transport pathways, and Drink Mix 320 is designed precisely around that principle. For me, it allows structured fueling. One bottle per hour when intensity is higher, or spaced strategically during steadier endurance phases ensuring I maintain glycogen availability without overwhelming my stomach. In ultra-distance racing, where under-fueling can slowly sabotage performance, having a predictable, well-tolerated liquid carbohydrate source like Maurten 320 gives me both physiological stability and mental confidence.
Pacing: The Discipline That Defines Performance
Pacing is, without exaggeration, the discipline that defines performance in ultra-distance cycling. Research in endurance physiology consistently demonstrates that an even pacing strategy outperforms aggressive starts followed by decline. Studies in cycling and marathon running show that athletes who maintain a stable power output relative to their physiological capacity not only preserve glycogen stores more effectively, but also experience lower rates of neuromuscular fatigue and cardiovascular drift. The body thrives on predictability. When intensity spikes too early, lactate accumulation increases, glycogen depletion accelerates, and core temperature rises faster — all factors that become exponentially more costly over 10, 15, or 20 hours.
I learned this lesson the hard way in my early ultra races. The excitement of the start, the adrenaline of competition, and the temptation to follow stronger riders often led me to push just slightly above my sustainable effort. It felt manageable at the time, even controlled. But ultra racing is patient. It waits. And after 250 or 300 kilometers, the cost of those early decisions becomes painfully clear. Energy fades faster than expected. Small climbs feel disproportionately steep. Mental resilience erodes. That’s when I realized that pacing is not about how strong you feel in the first hour. It is about how strong you remain in the fifteenth.
My personal pacing rules
Now, my rules are strict. The first third of any ultra event is deliberately conservative. I consciously ride “too easy.” I monitor heart rate drift closely. If heart rate begins to rise at the same power output, it signals dehydration, glycogen depletion, or thermal strain. I protect glycogen stores by staying within aerobic zones early, allowing fat oxidation to contribute significantly to energy production. And perhaps most importantly, I avoid ego-driven surges. Ultra racing punishes impatience, especially when podium ambitions are involved. Chasing every move or reacting emotionally to other riders’ attacks is a luxury I can’t afford.
There is also a psychological component to pacing. Holding back requires confidence. It demands trust in preparation and acceptance that others may ride away temporarily. But over long distances, discipline compounds. When I reach the final quarter of a race and still feel composed, still capable of producing steady power, that is the reward of restraint. In ultra cycling, the strongest rider is often not the one who pushes hardest, but the one who resists the urge to do so too soon.
The Psychological Edge and Mindset During Ultra Distance Races and Challengs
The psychology behind ultra-distance racing is, in many ways, the true battleground. When you spend 20 hours or more in the saddle, riding through daylight into darkness, through warmth into cold, through energy into depletion, the physical challenge becomes inseparable from the mental one. Scientific research in endurance sports shows that perception of effort, emotional regulation, and cognitive resilience are decisive performance factors; fatigue is not purely muscular, but deeply neurological. Studies on mental endurance and sleep deprivation demonstrate how prolonged exertion affects decision-making, motivation, and pain tolerance. This explains why ultra races are often lost in the mind before they are lost in the legs. From my own experience, I’ve learned that the key is not suppressing discomfort, but reframing it.
Instead of fighting the inevitable lows at 3 a.m. or during the tenth hour of climbing, I acknowledge them as part of the process. I break the race into segments, focus on breathing, fueling, cadence; controllable elements. Over the years, I’ve realized that resilience is trainable. Just as I build aerobic capacity in winter, I build psychological capacity through long solo rides, deliberate exposure to fatigue, and embracing solitude. Ultra-distance racing is less about being fearless and more about being steady, staying composed when everything inside you suggests stopping. That mindset, more than watts or VO₂ max, is what carries me across the finish line.
Material & Equipment: Precision Matters in Ultra-Distance Cycling
In ultra-distance cycling, equipment is not a secondary consideration, it is a performance pillar. When you spend 15, 20, or even 40 hours in the saddle, small inefficiencies become amplified and minor discomfort can evolve into decisive limitations. That’s why I rely on a carefully selected, high-quality setup built around reliability, efficiency, and long-term comfort. My Winspace T1550 Gen 2 paired with Lún Hyper Light wheels provides the ideal balance of stiffness, aerodynamics, and stability for both alpine climbing and exposed flat terrain.
Comfort at the contact points is ensured by my custom carbon saddle from Gelu, while my Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 12-speed groupset (52/36 with 11–30 cassette) guarantees flawless, precise shifting even deep into fatigue. Every component is chosen not just for performance on paper, but for how it behaves after hundreds of kilometers.
Data and efficiency are equally critical during my 2026 ultra distance cycling challenges and races. The Magene P515 spider-based power meter keeps my pacing disciplined and objective when perception of effort becomes unreliable. Accessories like the AbsoluteBLACK titanium Hollowcage improve drivetrain efficiency, while the titanium Shimano Dura-Ace bolt set from TI-Parts subtly reduces system weight without compromising durability. I also hot-wax my chains using the Cyclowax system, minimizing friction and maximizing mechanical consistency over long distances. None of these choices are about marginal gains in isolation — they are about cumulative reliability. In ultra racing, your equipment must be as prepared and resilient as you are. When aiming for personal bests and possibly podium positions, precision in material is not luxury — it is necessity.
Off season equipment
And just as important as race-day equipment is what happens in the off-season. Champions are made in winter, long before the start line appears on the calendar. My Cycplus T7 Smart Bike plays a crucial role in that process. Indoor training eliminates external variables like weather, traffic, terrain interruptions, allowing me to execute highly structured interval sessions with absolute precision. Whether I’m building aerobic base miles in Zone 2 or pushing through demanding VO₂ max efforts during weekly interval sessions, the consistency and accuracy of the T7 Smart Bike provide a controlled environment for measurable progress. It is where discipline is forged during dark winter months, where fitness is built quietly and systematically. The work done there may not be visible to anyone else, but it is foundational to every alpine climb, every Everesting repetition, and every ultra-distance finish line I will cross in 2026.
Feel free to use my personal Cycplus Discount and Promo code VELOFANATICS if you want a 5% discount on their products. I am a big fan of their electronic bike pumps too.
| Category | Brand | Product | Purpose / Benefit | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frame | Winspace | T1550 Gen 2 | Aero climbing frame combining stiffness, efficiency, and long-distance comfort | https://www.winspace.cc/ |
| Wheels | Winspace (Lún) | Lún Hyper Light | Lightweight, aerodynamic, stable in crosswinds | https://www.winspace.cc/ |
| Saddle | Gelu | Custom Carbon Saddle | Personalized comfort for long hours in the saddle | https://gelucarboncreation.com/ |
| Groupset | Shimano | Dura-Ace Di2 12-speed (52/36 – 11–30) | Precise, reliable electronic shifting under fatigue | https://bike.shimano.com/ |
| Power Meter | Magene | P515 Spider-Based Power Meter | Accurate pacing control and performance data | https://www.magene.com/ |
| Derailleur Cage | absoluteBLACK | Titanium Hollowcage | Reduced drivetrain friction and improved efficiency | https://absoluteblack.cc/ |
| Bolt Set | TI-Parts | Titanium Shimano Dura-Ace Bolt Set | Weight reduction with durability | https://tipartstitanium.com/ |
| Chain Treatment | Cyclowax | Hot Wax System | Lower drivetrain friction, improved longevity, cleaner performance | https://www.cyclowax.com/ |
| Indoor Trainer | Cycplus | T7 Smart Bike | Structured indoor training platform for controlled winter base and interval work | https://www.cycplus.com/?ref=ufduilta Use VELOFANATICS promo code for 5% discount |
| Nutrition (Gels) | Maurten | Hydrogel Energy Gels | High carb absorption with minimal GI distress | https://www.maurten.com/ |
| Nutrition (Drink) | Maurten | Drink Mix 320 | 80g carbs per bottle, stable fueling for ultra efforts | https://www.maurten.com/ |
Why the 2026 Ultra Distance Cycling Races and Challenges Feel Different
This year feels like convergence. Not because the distances are longer, but because I’m more refined.
- Smarter pacing
- Smarter fueling
- Smarter recovery
- Smarter preparation
UBF Les Alpes will test climbing durability.
LPL will test multi-day execution.
Everesting Etna will test vertical precision.
Rondje IJsselmeer will test aerodynamic efficiency.
Each event complements the other. Each challenge sharpens a different edge. And after six years in ultra-distance cycling, I feel less like I’m discovering limits and more like I’m expanding them deliberately. If a podium happens, I’ll welcome it. If a personal best falls, I’ll celebrate it. But regardless of outcomes, 2026 is about executing everything I’ve learned, with precision, discipline, and intention. And riding further, not just in distance, but in understanding what I’m truly capable of.
Here’s to 2026. To all the 2026 ultra distance cycling challenges and races.
To the Alps.
Etna.
Liège.
To endless Belgian, Dutch and German Eifel roads as my local training ground.
And finally to all of you cycling fanatics! Let me know your 2026 challenges big or small and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me.
