It’s incredible what has happened in the last three weeks since I crossed the finish line at the Race Across America. So many people have reached out to congratulate me on my second-place finish, and I’ve received countless messages.
My biggest issue after the race was two open sores on my backside, which only fully healed about ten days ago. I was stressed because my absolute favorite race of the past few years, the SALZKAMMERGUT TROPHY was coming up and I really wanted to participate. I managed only three bike training sessions before the race, and I didn’t feel great during them, so I had no high expectations for the race.
On Saturday, it was finally time. Promptly at 5 a.m., over 500 starters from around the world set off to tackle the unique A-course with 210 kilometers and 7,047 meters of elevation. Right from the first climb, I realized I couldn’t keep up with the fastest riders and tried to find a good rhythm. At the top of the first mountain, I was in 15th place—thankfully, there were many more mountains to come. After 10 hours and 43 minutes, I reached the finish line in Bad Goisern as the 6th rider—INSANE, I never expected that!!!
