VIA Race is a self-supported ultra-distance race of approximately 4,000 kilometers. It’s a trilogy, and this year I’ll be riding Chapter II of the race. Beyond being a multi-thousand-kilometer challenge, the race is also deeply rooted in history. The first chapter of VIA followed in the footsteps of Hannibal, the Carthaginian general who led his army—including 38 elephants—from southern Iberia, across mountain ranges, and into southern Italy. That’s where the first chapter of our VIA story concluded. Where Chapter I ended, Chapter II begins. In 2025, the second chapter will start in southern Italy, tracing the journey of Germanicus—one of the last Caesar's—as he ventured north to recover the lost Roman Eagles from Germania. The route finishes in what is now the Netherlands. That final destination will also mark the starting point of Chapter III, which will conclude the trilogy in 2026. Personally, I love riding—and riding far. Watching the landscape shift and experiencing the sunrise and sunset multiple times along the way is something I truly enjoy. The historical aspect adds another layer of fascination. Not only have I been studying the route and the countries I’ll pass through, but I’ve also been delving into the history of the places I’ll visit.
For the race, I’ll be riding my J. Guillem Orient. It’s equipped with a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Disc groupset and a SON dynamo hub paired with Supernova lights. I chose titanium because it's more sustainable than carbon—especially when adding bikepacking bags to the frame. When it comes to clothing, I bring lots of layers. While it will likely be extremely hot at the start in southern Italy, I expect cold nights in the higher parts of the race. I’ll probably start in Apex Cargo Bib Shorts and an Apex H1 Pro Fit Jersey in a high-visibility yellow.
For racing, I prefer bright colors because I never know what traffic will be like in foreign countries—visibility means safety. As I climb and ride into the night, I’ll need extra layers. The temperature drops not only due to altitude and time of day but also from fatigue, which makes it even more important to stay warm. That’s why I bring a Men’s Apex Polartec Adventure Jacket for the evenings, an Apex Hydro Repel Waterproof Jacket for rain, and a CIOVITA Puffer Jacket, which I use instead of a sleeping bag. The puffer jacket is one item I’d never leave at home—it’s warm enough to sleep in, and I can ride in it too.
" The preparations for the race are going well. As always, I ride a lot. Base miles come naturally, simply because I enjoy being out on the bike. As part of the training group Team CGT, under CS030 in Utrecht, I do two interval sessions per week—one on Tuesday and one on Saturday. I add two or three more rides at an easier pace during the week, and the days just fly by. I’ve had less time for really long rides (250 km and up) compared to last year, but overall I still feel that my training has been solid. This spring, I raced The Unknown Race (7th place) and Race Across Belgium (10th place) as part of my preparation. I was especially happy with my performance in The Unknown Race, which had a very strong field. Perhaps the hardest part of my preparation is taking proper rest weeks. I do schedule them, but more often than not, I can’t resist going out for a ride. Cutting mileage is tough—the only thing I usually manage to reduce is the intensity. Maybe I should be doing even less during rest weeks..."
I’m often asked about my goals in a race like this. At 4,000 km, your position in the ranking is rarely “stolen.” Of course, luck—or the absence of bad luck—can make a difference and leave you wondering what could’ve been. But in general, 4,000 km doesn’t lie. I never set a goal based on finishing time—there are just too many unpredictable factors over such a long distance. I’m also cautious about naming a specific place in the ranking. That said, I’m no longer just riding it as a bikepacking adventure—I’m racing it. Last year, I finished 9th in about 11 days. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to improve on that. When it comes to pacing, I usually have some ability to push hard on day one, and maybe a bit on day two. After that, it tends to flatten out into a steady rhythm. I try to limit my stops as much as possible. At night, I sometimes sleep outside, sometimes indoors. I prefer sleeping indoors—given the lack of sleep overall, the quality matters even more. Still, I’m not afraid to sleep outside when necessary.
By the time I finish, I’ll know whether I’m happy with my result or not. I’ll see what could have been done better—and what couldn’t. But as I said before, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to improve. Over the years, I’ve learned how to handle cold nights and even tackle mountain passes after dark. That said, crossing those areas can still be dangerous, and I never approach them without at least a little nervousness. Living in the flatlands, I hardly get to train for descents, so I’ll probably never be great at them. Still, despite being from the Netherlands, I actually prefer mountains over those long, hot days in valleys like the Pau Valley, which I find tougher. Another thing that makes me a bit nervous is wildlife—mostly dogs, but I’ve also encountered porcupines, wild boars, and deer on past rides. Most of the time, you don’t really think about it—you just deal with it when it happens. That covers the parts I might be nervous about, but there’s also a lot to be excited for. First of all, the organization has selected some amazing checkpoints: Gran Sasso and Passo del Giogo in the Apennines, and the Rossfeld Panorama Strasse near Salzburg. And finally—maybe most importantly—I’ll be riding home. The finish is just 30 km from my hometown, so I’m hoping to see some friends and family at the finish line. Let’s just hope I don’t arrive in the middle of the night!
The race can be followed via MadCap. I’ll be riding with a tracker, and this free mobile app will show the live location of each rider. On desktop, you can also follow the race at dotwatcher.cc. In addition to the live map, someone will be doing daily race reports. Last year, the organizers also published a daily podcast/video, and I expect they’ll do the same this time. While I’m racing, I’ll be fully focused on the ride. I might occasionally post something to my Instagram Stories, but don’t expect too much during the event. However, after the race, I’ll share a recap on my Instagram stories and publish a more detailed race report on my blog and I share my files on Strava.
