August 09, 2017 (Kalambaka Greece) – Quebec rider Geoffroy Dussault (@teamgris), previously with Garneau-Quebecor, has finished fourth overall on the extreme, unsupported 4,000km Transcontinental Europe ride from Belgium to Greece, covering the distance in a remarkable 10 days beginning on July 28. His result is even more remarkable as Dussault was hit by a car in Italy but escaped without injury suffering damages to his bike.

The 2017 race was won by British rider, James Hayden, who finished on August 6 with a time of eight days, twenty three hours, and fourteen minutes.

Pedal understands there were some 300 riders on this year’s event. They were free to choose their own itineraries, but had to pass fixed control points. Dussault left Geraardsbergen, Belgium at 10pm on July 28, heading for Schloss Lichtenstein, the first control. He made the 600km trip there in less than 24 hours reports La Presse. The next control point was Semonzo, Italy where Dussault arrived at 10:56 in the morning of July 31. From there he headed for The High Tatras, Slovakia where he arrived at 9:12 on Aug. 3, followed by a stop in Romania at 3:43pm on August 5; and then finally the Meteora Monasteries near Kalambaka, Greece, at 10pm on August 7.

Dussault told La Presse that he planned his route, making hotel reservations along the way, but generally “dined” at gas stations to save time. A major challenge along the way was hot weather of about 40 C and he had to drink a lot of water to prevent heatstroke.

He was helped initially by a bike shop in Italy “Philippe and his team succeeded in restoring my rear wheel so that it is functional” wrote Dussault on FB. Later he needed a replacement wheel and apparently a “clandestine” bike shop in Slovakia installed a mountain bike wheel compatible with his road bike.

Dussault’s girlfriend awaited him at the finish in Meteora and the couple will spend a few days relaxing in Greece before heading back to Quebec City. Dussault says his next challenge is to start a family…

#TCRNO5

Race report here.
La Presse (French) here.
Pedal’s previous report here.