2026 Transcontinental Race ultra‑cycling event

In mid‑July 2026 Italian ultracyclist Omar Di Felice announced his participation in the 12th edition of the Transcontinental Race, a self‑supported ultra‑distance cycling competition that starts on 19 July in Trondheim, Norway and finishes in Kalamata, Greece. Di Felice, who missed the 2024 edition after an elbow injury and withdrew from the 2025 start due to a cervical‑vertebra fracture, said he was now physically ready despite a recent knee issue and hoped to claim the title that has eluded him.

The race began as scheduled on 19 July, with roughly 424‑438 riders departing from Tromsø, Norway, traversing 4,000‑5,000 km across Europe and passing mandatory checkpoints in Norway, the Czech‑Slovak border, Bosnia‑Herzegovina and Albania before the final leg to Kalamata. Swiss rider Robin Gemperle arrived first, completing the course in 10 days, 8 hours and 55 minutes, securing his second Transcontinental Race victory. The finish window remains open until 8 August, and organizers expect another 150‑200 participants to reach the endpoint within the time limit, highlighting the event’s growing international profile and its potential to boost tourism in Kalamata.