4,932 kilometers. Eight days. 22 hours and 32 minutes. And not a single thought about plastic taste.
Philipp Kaider has done it: The 39-year-old from Wolkersdorf in Lower Austria is the winner of the 43rd Race Across America (RAAM) – probably the toughest cycling race in the world.
Kaider started in Oceanside, California on June 10 – as a RAAM debutant.
What followed was an impressive demonstration of endurance, tactics and mental strength.
More than 13 US states, four time zones and thousands of meters in altitude later he reached the finish line in Atlantic City.
“It was the longest and most strenuous race of my life. The fact that I was able to maintain my performance throughout is a huge success,“ said Kaider at the finish – exhausted but overjoyed.
What seems unimaginable to many, Kaider managed with a smile on his face – despite days of rain, lack of sleep and mental lows.
His recipe?
Not only physical and mental strength enabled Kaider to achieve this triumph. His equipment was also thought out down to the last detail – including his water bottle.
Philipp Kaider deliberately chose KEEGO.
I didn't want to have a bad plastic taste in my mouth or have to worry about harmful substances on this long, intense ride – KEEGO is the perfect choice for that. explains Kaider.
Especially in a race like RAAM, where every little thing can decide victory or defeat over almost 5,000 kilometers, reliability and planning down to the last detail are essential. That also means clean, fresh drinking – without compromise.
With the KEEGO Water Bottle Philipp was well looked after throughout the entire route:
- No plastic taste – even in extreme heat or after days of use.
- Free of harmful substances – because health comes first, even in extreme situations.
- Light & squeezable – ideal for quick hydration on the go.
I drink a lot during a race like that. I have to be able to rely on the equipment. With KEEGO, I know that the drink remains unadulterated – and that's also a factor that can have a positive effect on fitness and health values. according to the newly crowned RAAM champion.
From the first stage, he took the lead, not letting the California desert, the poisonous climbs of the Appalachians, or the extreme sleep deprivation stop him.
Even when the rain almost never stopped in the second half of the race and his crew joked that "a cloud travels with Kaider," he stayed on course – with a grin and unbroken morale.
The heart of success: The team
As strong as Kaider was on the bike, his eleven-member team was the invisible engine behind the triumph. Many were involved in an ultra-race for the first time - and mastered the challenge with flying colors.
From navigation, catering, medical care to mental support: every action was perfect, every decision was made together. "We knew the weaknesses, never lost our nerve and always pulled Philipp out of mental lows. The longer the race lasts, the more everything takes place in the head - also for us in the team. But we communicated, stuck together and Philipp felt from the beginning that he could trust us," describes crew chief Dr. Christian Kromoser the dynamic.
This well-coordinated team performance, coupled with Kaider's experience as a multiple ultra-cycling world champion, was ultimately the key to success.
After almost 5,000 kilometers, 50,000 meters in altitude and 13 US states, Philipp Kaider was not only celebrated as the overall winner, but also with the title Rookie of the Year excellent. On the pier of Atlantic City, Philipp and his crew embraced, exhausted but happy.
I'm just tired. It's the most important race of my life – and I managed to consistently perform at my best. That means a lot to me," he said at the finish line.
We at KEEGO sincerely congratulate Philipp on this historic success.
Thank you, Philipp – for your will, your trust and your incredible performance.
KEEP GOING!
Images: @Joe Ambrosch
