RAAM winner Strasser to tackle Australia

Perth, Kalgoorlie, Norseman, Port Augusta, Mildura, Gundagai, Jugiong, Yass, Goulburn, Campbelltown, Sydney. That's the route three-time Race Across America (RAAM) winner Christoph Strasser will take as he attempts to break a trans-Australian cycling record.

Christoph Strasser at RAAM 2015. Source: Supplied

Strasser plans to complete the 3950km non-stop crossing in six and a half days, starting on 10 January 2017 from Cottesloe Beach in Perth and finishing on the steps of the iconic Sydney Opera House.

He will encounter 16000 meters of climbing across the distance but its Australia's summer heat which poses a worry for the Austrian ultra-endurance specialist.

"Compared to the Race Across America, I have to complete half of the climbing on a similar distance, with the highest elevation being only 700 meters," Strasser said. 

"But the challenge will be the weather. I will start the ride during the Australian summer and it will be constantly hot and dry, especially while crossing the Outback.”

"This tour is a new adventure for my support crew and me. We look forward to the fascinating landscape of the Australian Outback. The flora and fauna, which we will see from the roadside, will be very exciting, as well as the world’s longest straight road in the Nullarbor plain. One part of the Nullarbor Highway is a 146.6 km straight."

Another Austrian, Gerhard Gulewicz, holds the water-to-water record for riding across Australia. Set in 2007, he completed the supported distance in a time of seven days, eight hours and 49 minutes.

“I wish Christoph all the best and hope that he will bring the record to Austria again. I am sure, that he can achieve a much faster time. When the weather conditions are good, the record is possible in 6.5 days for him,” Gulewicz said.

Strasser will be using the harsh Australian summer conditions as preparation for another tilt at RAAM after his last two attempts were unsuccessful.

"I would like to try out new cooling techniques at high temperatures and see this as a test for my next participation at RAAM. Owayo, my outfit sponsor, supports me with special jerseys to handle the hot conditions," he said.

"In RAAM 2015, I brutally suffered under the hot conditions and could not finish the race. In 2016, I had to retire because of a car accident and I am already looking forward to my seventh start at RAAM in June 2017."