Christoph Strasser wins Race Across America for 5th time

Christoph Strasser has won the Race Across America for a record-equalling fifth time – completing the 3.069.8-mile coast-to-coast ride in a time of 8 days 1 hour and 23 minutes.

The Austrian rider, who was the defending champion, is now tied with the late Jure Robič for the most wins in the race from Oceanside. California, to Annapolis, Maryland.

Strasser’s closest challenger was Ralph ‘Dizzy’ Diseviscourt of Luxembourg, who finished almost a day and a half behind him in 9 days 12 hours and 33 minutes. 

His latest victory was achieved at an average speed of 15.94 miles an hour, short of the record of 16.42 miles an hour he set in 2014, when he won the race in 7 days 15 hours and 56 minutes.

Strasser had hoped to break the eight-day barrier again this year and told the RAAM website: "When you are an athlete and you are trying to reach your goals and you miss them so closely then it's like you are a little bit disappointed, but only just the first ten minutes. Then after that you are very happy about it."

There were British successes in three of the relay categories. Team New Forest won the four-man under-50 category in 6 days 3 hours and 56 minutes, while Get Busy Living took the four-man 50-59 category in 6 days 9 hours and 12 minutes.  

Meanwhile, JSNT 2006 Reprise won the four-person mixed category in 7 days 3 hours and 39 minutes. 

Full results and further details of the race can be found on its website.