Transibérica is the ultimate self-supporting road bike challenge.

From Bolzano to Bilbao

Transibérica is the ultimate self-supporting road bike challenge – non-stop from the Alps, starting in Bolzano, through Switzerland and France across the Iberian Peninsula to Bilbao in Spain.

September 01, 2025

From: pm

Unlike traditional cycling races, there is no set route: Each participant designs their own route and must complete the mandatory checkpoints. The 2025 edition starts at the Q36.5 headquarters in Bolzano (ITA) and finishes in Bilbao (ESP). Along the way, competitors must overcome 10 checkpoints – including some of the most diverse and challenging passes and villages between Italy, France, and Spain. The final stretch is approximately 2.600 kilometers long and boasts over 40.000 meters of elevation gain.

Our long-distance cyclist Karl Paratscha from Girlan is participating in this "torture tour," along with Andreas Kofler, also from Girlan, and Martin Bergmeister from Brixen. The three had to tackle renowned passes such as the Passo Gavia (2.621 m), the ascent to Alpe d'Huez (1.860 m), the Little Saint Bernard Pass (2.188 m), the Splügen Pass (2.114 m), and many more. They cycled over the famous Millau Viaduct (FRA), past the Castillo de Loarre (SPA), and the island of Gaztelugache in the Bay of Biscay.

After 220 hours and 19 minutes, the time had come: Karl Paratscha crossed the finish line in the port city of Bilbao in 37th place – tired but overjoyed: "I've been getting a bit out of it over the last three days; the sleep deprivation was severe, and the onset of knee pain prevented an even better result. But around 3km with an average of 290 meters of elevation gain per day, times 4.300 days, is enough." Around three and a half days later, Martin Bergmeister also crossed the finish line, exhausted but very satisfied with his performance. Andreas Kofler didn't manage to finish.