Estonian ultra-athlete Rait Ratasepp launches 5,000 km cycling journey from Portugal to Estonia

Estonian ultra-athlete Rait Ratasepp launched a cycling expedition on 16 June from Portugal, covering 5,000 kilometres across Europe in ten days. The route passes through eleven countries and ends in Narva-Jõesuu on the coast of the Baltic Sea.

Estonian ultra-athlete Rait Ratasepp launched a remarkable new challenge on Tuesday, 16 June from Portugal. He aims to cycle 5,000 kilometres across Europe in ten days, finishing his journey at home in Narva-Jõesuu on the Baltic Sea coast.

From start to Spain in one day

Ratasepp acknowledged that weather conditions at the starting point were reasonable, but not without challenges. "Weather conditions at the starting point are currently favourable, it's warm but not excessively hot. That said, it's quite windy at the moment, and in the first few hours I'll likely need to contend with strong side winds or headwinds. The further we move from the coast, the hotter it will get," he said before the start.

His goal for the first day is to reach Spain and cover 550-600 kilometres. "The plan is to try to build up a small buffer in the early days, so that later, when the mountains get tougher and fatigue starts to take its toll, I'll have a little cushion," Ratasepp explained.

Route through legendary mountain regions

The route passes through Portugal, Spain, Andorra, France, Italy, Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia before the athlete reaches Estonia. The journey takes him through several legendary Tour de France, Vuelta a España and Giro d'Italia climbs. The highest points on the route reach nearly 2,500 metres, and the total elevation gain exceeds even that of one of the world's toughest ultra-cycling races, the Race Across America (RAAM).

Beyond the altitude, the challenge is made harder by narrow roads, constantly shifting terrain and unpredictable weather.

Better preparation than RAAM

Last year, Ratasepp finished fourth at the Race Across America. Compared with the US venture, this logistical setup is considerably better: in Europe, a support team travels with the athlete in a motor home with full equipment, allowing for better recovery and quicker response to unexpected conditions.

Ratasepp himself has said the project stems from a desire to try something new and even more challenging, and to gather experience for the future, particularly in case he wishes to return to RAAM and finish faster.

Supporters await in Estonia

Marje Braunbrück, marketing director at the challenge's sponsor FenixBet and Fenix Casino, said the team awaits the athlete in Estonia with great excitement. "His undertaking is not merely an extraordinary sporting challenge, but an inspiring example of how determination, consistency and courage to set seemingly impossible goals lead to great achievements," Braunbrück said.

Ratasepp's journey can be tracked in real time through a special tracking application.