Race rookie becomes first German to win RAAM

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland—After 9 days 17 hours and 9 minutes, 31-year-old Pierre Bischoff was first in the elite solo men’s division to cross the finish in Annapolis, Maryland, following an epic 3069.3-mile (4939.5km) ride from Oceanside, California, to become the first German to win the 35th edition of the Race Across America (RAAM) on Friday, June 24.

Labelled ‘Wunderkid’ by the local media due to his out-of-nowhere performance that shocked many of his rivals – including himself – Bischoff rode way from the field on the second day while crossing Monument Valley along the Arizona and Utah border.

“This was a lifetime goal and I wanted to do this race to be an honest person, because many people did not believe that I would really do it,” admitted Bischoff after winning his debut RAAM. “Now I have finished the Race Across America.”

Bischoff averaged 20km/h – breaking the German record for RAAM set by Hubert Schwarz when he completed RAAM in 1992.

Finish times were well above the race record and temperatures milder than expected during the first three days of racing through the deserts of the American West.

Three-time runner up and 2008 RAAM rookie of the year Mark Pattinson (GBR) was forced to withdraw after finishing more than three quarters of the race, while last year’s silver medalist David Haase (USA), lost 17 hours due to a medical emergency four days in. Haase, who claimed prior to the race that his RAAM could be his last, battled back from outside the top 10 to finish second for the second straight year.

In the elite solo women’s field, race rookie Nicole Reist (SUI) is also surprising pundits by leading the race over six-time winner Seana Hogan (USA), who is 190-miles behind with 548 miles remaining. Guinness World Record cyclist and pre-race favourite Juliana Buhring (GER) was forced to abandon mid-race due to medical issues.

The men’s solo record of 7 days 15 hours 56 minutes is currently held by three-time winner Christoph Strasser (AUT), who is not racing this year, while the women’s record (9:04:02) is Hogan (USA), who is making her historic 11th RAAM appearance.

Aside from the solo category, 2-, 4- and 8-person teams are also featured and expected to wrap up over the weekend.