TORTOUR Triumph: Edith and René from ZN-Sport Win Again in the 500 Mix Category

A six-person crew—two athletes and four support staff—takes on the challenging course. But before setting out on the main lap, they first complete the 1-kilometer prologue—a short, fast team time trial through Schaffhausen.

Start at 3:00 a.m. – Into the Darkness

The race begins at 3:00 a.m. The first few kilometers take the athletes through the darkness. Only the lights of their bicycles guide them as night slowly gives way to morning. Kilometer by kilometer, they head toward the Alps. Numerous climbs, long descents, and ever-increasing elevation gain push the two athletes to their limits.

Pushing the Limits Kilometer by Kilometer

While the two athletes battle it out on their bikes, everything behind the scenes has to run smoothly as well. Food and drink, support, transitions, navigation, and communication—the four-person crew does a perfect job.

Kilometer 270 – Snack Break

As the day goes on, it gets hotter and hotter. The temperatures, the significant elevation gain, and the long ride so far are taking their toll. At kilometer 270, the inevitable snack break arrives. Energy suddenly runs out, and the legs feel heavy. Now it’s time for teamwork: eat, drink, recharge—and keep going. The crew supports and motivates the athletes, making sure they get back into their rhythm.

Kilometer 370 – Extra Lap

About 100 km later, another setback occurs: At kilometer 370, the team briefly loses its bearings, causing them to cover extra kilometers and lose the lead. Despite the loss of time, the experienced athletes remain focused and continue their ride toward Schaffhausen. They manage to make up for the temporary setback with an extra effort.

The Final Kilometers

With every passing hour, the body grew more tired and the eyes heavier, yet at the same time, the finish line drew nearer. At 1:00 a.m., ZN-Sport finally reached the finish line in Schaffhausen. After 21 hours and 56 minutes, they had done it—securing victory in the 500 Mix category.

An incredible team effort!

Following their victory in 2025, ZN-Sport is once again at the top of the podium in 2026. The two athletes gave it their all on the bike for nearly 22 hours. Meanwhile, the four crew members in the support vehicle made sure everything ran smoothly.

From the darkness of the early morning through the heat of the day, through all the ups and downs, to our arrival in Schaffhausen at night—every single minute was worth it. In the end, the entire team not only holds the trophy in their hands, but above all, the memory of an incredible shared adventure.

SCHNEEBERGER Maschinen AG, a long-time co-sponsor, congratulates the team on their outstanding athletic performance!