Video: Half-hour film follows last year's Transcontinental Race from Belgium to Turkey

Endurance cyclists from across Europe and beyond learnt yesterday whether they had secured a place on this year’s Transcontinental Race – and among the lucky ones was road.cc’s own VecchioJo, who will be riding as a pair with his friend Gavin, and has blogged about his reaction to the news here.

> Transcontinental Race No.5 route revealed

Here’s a taste of what’s in store in this beautifully-shot, half-hour video from main sponsor PEdaLED, which last month offered a free place on the 2017 race after two-time finisher Jacopo Porreco from Italy began working with the clothing firm, meaning he’ll be with them on the race rather than riding himself.

#171 The Transcontinental Race journey from PEdALED on Vimeo.

Yesterday, PEDaLED said on Facebook: “Today applicants from all over the world received an email from Mr. Mike Hall in which they were told whether they will be part of The Transcontinental Race or not.

“Last year we were there and on July 29th we left from the Muur of Geraardsbergen for a long journey across Europe until Canakkale in Turkey. This is what we saw from the point of view of Jacopo, rider Nr.171.

“Jacopo won't be in the race this year but someone else will through the Nr.171 Competition which will close tomorrow.

“We also know that a lot of great people didn't get a spot in the race this year and we hope that this video might give them a small feeling of the race and be an inspiration for their future adventures.

“Don't stop to take challenges, the world is waiting for you.”

Porreco is the main focus of the video, but there are appearances too from a number of people with whom regular road.cc readers will be familiar, including founder and organiser Mike Hall and 2015 winner Josh Ibbett.

> Transcontinental bike race: Josh Ibbett’s bike and equipment

> Transcontinental Q&A: 2015 race winner Josh Ibbett

Transcontinental No. 5 again starts at the iconic Muur van Geraardsbergen, Belgium on 28 July and finishes in Meteora, Greece - with checkpoints along the way at Castle Lichtenstein in Germany, Montegrappa in Italy, the High Tatras in Slovakia and Transfagarasan in Romania.