Lennart Nap

Martijn Kip

Thijs Pankras

Alexander Vahl

Richard Jansen

Tiemen van Tuinen

Wout Jacobs

Steffen Dirkwinkel

Nathan Kisjes

Bram Den Hertog

Michael Hokkeler

Gert Jan Schilder

Jan-Hinrich Klindworth

Tim McInnes

Nick Roetman

Mateusz Parafinski

Jan-willem Bobbink

Bas Vlaskamp

Lucas Hecht

Stephan Schmich

Sander den Boon

Jan Wagtendonk

Anton Bos

Tim Hoogendijk

Iwan van Crimpen

Kai Kornetzky

Vova Mihura

Simon van Duivenvoorde

Roland Boot

Sebastian Stein

Mateusz Tondel

Michael Weiskopf

Rowan van Driel

Pim Claassen

Guy Marks

Hanno Schulz

Victor van Buuren

Arthur Koeman

Jesper Wever

Grischa Flaving

Florian Heimann

Nicole van Batenburg

James Parkinson

Nathalie Hoogeveen

Jerry Cornelisse

Laurens Bork

Guillaume Vanderwinden

Gunnar Triebel

Boyd Belshof

Francesco Deboli

Herwin Thole

Philip Dekkers

Nathalie Goemans

Rudy Bouwmeester

Dominik Engelke

Zephaniah Buck

Huib van Engelen

Ben Timm

Ruud van den Hooff

Romy Meyer

Jonathan Toye

Ties Haket

Moritz Petersen

Pascal Glass

Federico Bellomo

Francesco Rave

Mark Leyzer

Tilman Riedel

Joey Belshof

Ramon van Stijn

Kenneth Eby

Mart Moekotte

Eva Terpstra

Bob van Streun

Rutger Rebel

Stefan Bestert

Caroline Picht

Michael Denes

Till Luhmann

Johan Westerlaken

Quentin Vander Cam

Stefanie Falz

JP Bezuidenhout

Jelmer Vernooij

Sonja Hastenrath

Luca Trombella

Nikolas Möhrmann

Rinus Spoor

Norbert Münch

Rainer Koschmieder

Herre Uittenhout

Roel Semmekrot

Ricco Lin

Jenna Bestbier

Romee Uijterlinde

Kjeld van Dijk

Stefan Timmer

Pascal Endreß

Marco Mayer

Tomas Eidukevicius

Benjamin van Vianen

Laurens Dhaese

Wouter van de Meent

Gaard Kets

Tom de van der Schueren

Joep van der Spek

Kor Post

Mark Keultjes

Arjen Van der Donk

Ruben Meijer

Ramon Meijer

Cyril Daran

Andrew Payne

Robert Lindhout

Mike Klaassen

Robin Smith

Sterre Duitshof

Bram Koeweiden

Jef De Boeck

Chris de Korte

Jolien Prins

Pieter-Paul van der Meer

Bas Oudejans

Willemijn de Voogt

Marcel Demandewitz

Moritz Michels

Jelmer de Vries

Maaike Plate

Bill Van Heijgen

Robert van Halm

Kay Geraeds

Nick van Roekel

Sten Prins

Jan Lolke Hibma

David Hiscock

Timo Klok

Gemma Adelaar

Jeroen Braam

Herman van der Zandt

Martijn Hendriks

Luuc Verburgh

Nils Schoonhoven

Ronny Stolle

Remco Kooistra

Arjo Booij

Dennis Beukelaar

Hidde Vanthillo

Tim Borst

Lucas Hamming

Emile de Roy van Zuydewijn

Jasper Terra

Tjeerd den Houter

Joost Jansen

Crew 1

Crew 2

Yesss for sure! The third edition of Utrecht Ultra will start in 2 days. I (Kemal IG: amsterdam.cycling) will be helping you to share insights related to the race. Normally I was also planning to race but due to some reasons, I will not be joining, instead I will contribute to the race via these posts.

Utrecht Ultra aims to be an accessible race, even for first-time ultra-cyclists. While I know some very experienced riders are lining up this year, a lot of the names on the start list are new to the discipline. I can imagine they must be a bit nervous about the 18:00pm start time. But I can promise all that they will not be the same person before and after the race, it will be a unique experience for them. They are already showing great courage by attending this race.

While the last preparation of the riders is ongoing, let’s first refresh our memories about how last year’s edition went. Different from this year, the start parcours was through North Brabant and Belgium which was flat. But the weather made it challenging for the riders with the rainy weather during the night. The ones who survived the rain during the first night enjoyed the nice weather the following days.

At the front of the race, the tempo was very high from the beginning and most of the riders skipped the first night. Except for Mathieu Kalia, most of the top 10 riders and first woman finisher kept the same position throughout the checkpoints and at the finish. We need to also note Bram Den Hertog’s and Timo Kreule’s attack where they arrived at checkpoint 1 around 40th position but finished in the top 10.

Lennart Nap came out on top and had his race under control from the beginning which shows his time trial bike strategy worked and even a run in with an owl could not keep him out of the race. Lennart finished in 1 day, 14 hours and 46 minutes. But each rider had different kinds of problems like being stuck in the mud, flat tire or navigation issues.
Despite all these difficulties which are part of the ultra cycling journey, the finish time between 2nd Richard Jansen and 3rd Julio Greff was just 14 minutes. We saw similar results between 1st woman finisher Belle de Gast and 2nd Sterre Witteveen which was only 2 hours and 24 minutes. So, it shows Utrecht Ultra is an exciting race to follow and I can promise this year it will be another level due the strong start list. Let’s cover this during the next update on Friday.


Are we readyyy?

Less than 24 hours remain until the start of this epic adventure! By now, every rider should have visited their mechanic for a full bike check and taken a final test spin to ensure their gear and setup are dialed in. Whether seasoned veterans or first-time ultra racers, excitement must be running high tonight. Though they will all tackle a similar route, the stories they’ll share after crossing the finish line will be uniquely their own.

Now, let's dive into the start list. Three riders from the 2024 top 10 finishers—Lennart Nap, Richard Jansen, and Bram Den Hertog—are back to take on the challenge again in 2025. Meanwhile, strong female competitors like Nicole van Batenburg and Sherry Cardona add even more firepower to the lineup. Having conquered tough events like Race Around Rwanda, Unknown Race, and Atlas Mountain Race, they must be extremely well-prepared for this long-distance test.

Among the experienced ultra racers, we have Bas Vlaskamp, known for his innovative frame bag, as well as Wout Jacobs and Gert Jan Schilder, both veterans of Transcontinental and Via Race. Returning to the adventure are Vova Mihura and Andrew Matthews, eager to push their limits once again. Also present is Jan Willem Bobbink, an ultra-race organizer himself, along with the Tweewieler team, racing as a pair, and members of the Meijer family. Riders from Germany and Belgium are joining as well—welcome to the Netherlands!

In ultra cycling, packing is a strategic decision: Will riders carry an extra jersey, an additional water bottle, or a sleeping mat? Or will they opt for minimalist efficiency? A quick look at the bikes on DotWatcher reveals that most racers have opted for aerobars, a smart choice for this relatively flat parcours. Some have mounted extra bottles, signaling their readiness for night rides or their intention to avoid stopping for water. As for tires, selections vary—Moritz Schoen and Jelmer de Vries are running 40mm setups, while Ken Eby-Gomez’s retro bike and Konrad Kowara’s mountain bike add a splash of character to the race.

Generally, ultra-racers follow one of three key strategies:
1.Riding at a steady pace with minimal and short stops.
2.Riding fast but taking longer breaks.
3.A mix of both approaches.
Whatever the chosen strategy, riders should never forget to appreciate the breathtaking sunsets and sunrises along the way or to enjoy a well-earned coffee at a roadside café.

Like Ultra Fietsen account on Instagram, one might ask AI to predict a winner. But ultra cycling is full of surprises—this 1,000 km journey is unpredictable, and there's always a dark horse ready to challenge the favorites. As mentioned before, simply taking on this challenge is already worthy of applause.

Wishing all participants a safe and successful ride—see you at the start line tomorrow!


The Countdown Begins!

Today is the big day for the Utrecht Ultra! 185 riders have gathered, ready to embark on this unforgettable adventure. Their bikes have been meticulously checked by the organization, their brevet cards are in hand, waiting to be stamped at checkpoints, and with pride, they’ve placed their caps on their heads—symbolizing the incredible challenge ahead.

The atmosphere at the start line is electric. Some riders are soaking in the moment with their families and friends, while others are eagerly socializing with fellow competitors. The most heartwarming sight? The children cheering for their moms and dads, their enthusiasm adding a special energy to the event.

I had the chance to speak with some of the participants before the start:
•	Keith Wallace (cap: 26) – Despite having five ultra races under his belt, this will be his first on the road, and the excitement is real! He hasn’t defined a strict strategy but plans to listen to his legs and go with the flow.
•	Bill Van Heijgen (cap: 194) & Robert van Halm (cap: 195) – Racing as a pair, they’ve conquered ultra events in Spain and Italy, and their confidence is unmistakable. Their plan? Reach the Belgium border by morning, rest there, and adapt their strategy as they go. The tailwind and pleasant weather at the start are giving them extra motivation.
•	Lucas Hecht (cap: 136), Moritz Schön (cap: 55), & Stefan Bestert (cap: 203) – This German trio has tackled long-distance rides before, but this is their first attempt at 1,000 km. They’re especially eager to test themselves on the steep climbs of Luxembourg.
•	Andrew Matthews (cap: 89) – His strategy? Sleep through the first night and then push hard afterward. A quick check on the tracker reveals he has already stopped at KM 95, settling into a hotel room for a restful night.
•	Gabriel Saenz (cap: 118) – A rider who brought true Mediterranean flair to the start line with his stylish hat perched over his helmet—a touch of personality to match the grand adventure ahead.

As the first wave of riders prepared for the 18:00 start, the favourites exchanged words of encouragement, taking their positions at the front line. With a wave of applause and cheers, they rolled into the starting parkours, beginning their gruelling journey.

At this moment:
•	Bas Vlaskamp (cap: 8) holds a slight lead over Lennart Nap (cap: 1), both closely pursued by Richard Jansen (cap: 2).
•	Nicole van Batenburg (cap: 5) is leading the women’s category, with Sherry Cardona (cap:10) in second and Eva Terpstra (cap:90) holding third position.
•	In the pair category, Benjamin van Vianen (cap: 178) & Laurens Dhaese (cap: 179) are at the front.

With only 150 km covered so far, it’s far too early to predict how the race will unfold. Sleeping strategy will play a key role, and surprises are inevitable. I vividly remember from Utrecht Ultra 2024 that simply stopping for a few minutes to put on a rain jacket allowed five riders to pass me—proof that every choice matters.
Let’s see how things evolve overnight! Looking forward to catching up tomorrow and discovering the latest race developments together. 🚴🔥


Wind at Their Backs, Road Ahead: Utrecht Ultra 2025 Starts

The start parcours was as fast as expected, with most riders choosing to push through the night rather than stop for rest. Those who opted for sleep found refuge in Nijmegen, Venlo, or slightly further near Roermond—a brief pause before tackling the next leg of this grueling journey.

As the mandatory start parcours ended, riders faced three main route options:

1.The Aachen route, a flatter section allowing for speed.
2.The direct route over Simmerath, shorter but packed with challenging climbs.
3️.The Eupen-Dahlem option, a balance of distance and elevation.

The second choice—the Simmerath route—proved the most popular, chosen by many despite its demanding gradients.

The night turned out colder than expected, forcing riders to layer up to stay warm. Interestingly, Monster energy drinks have become a trend among participants—perhaps an idea for a future sponsorship deal with the Utrecht Ultra organizers? Those 24-hour petrol stations were lifesavers, offering spots to warm up, restock on food and drinks, and even catch up with fellow racers. Some riders took recovery to the next level, stretching out with cat-cow yoga exercises right on the roadside—because flexibility is key, even in ultra cycling! 

At the time of writing, three riders—Lennart Nap (cap: 1), Bas Vlaskamp (cap: 8), and Martijn Kip (cap: 102)—were battling through CP2, having also reached CP1 as the top three. On the women’s leaderboard, the frontrunner remains the same—Nicole van Batenburg (cap: 5)—but major shifts have occurred behind her. Sherry Cardona unfortunately had to DNF due to not feeling well, paving the way for Nathalie Hoogeveen (cap: 44) to claim second place, followed by Romy Meyer (cap: 53) in third.  In the pairs category, Benjamin van Vianen (cap: 178) & Laurens Dhaese (cap: 179) continue to lead the charge. Meanwhile, five other riders have also made the tough decision to end their race early.

Beyond the competition, it’s great to see the friendship between Bas and Lennart shining through. Their social media posts, full of good-natured banter, are a refreshing reminder that even in an intense race, having fun is just as important as pushing hard.

Will Martijn make a daring move to challenge their lead? Or will a surprise contender from the pack shake things up before the finish? You never know in ultra cycling. Stay tuned—this race is far from over!

Photo by Yannick-Schurwanz


Cold Nights, Fast Miles, and the Battle for the Lead!

As I write this summary, Lennart Nap remains firmly in the lead, approaching the finish parcours. While the top three riders have held their positions, there have been major shake-ups in the top 20.  Bram Den Hertog (cap: 23) surged from 16th place to 8th!  Nathan Kisjes (cap: 100)—a veteran of the Transcontinental Race 2023—jumped from 20th to 10th. Jan-Hinrich Klindworth (cap: 103) pulled off a massive 21-position gain, now sitting in 17th place! As mentioned earlier, Utrecht Ultra is a long journey, and anything can happen before the finish line.

Riders who skipped the first night took different approaches to rest—either booking hotel rooms or using Checkpoints 2 & 3 as sleeping spots. Bas Vlaskamp (cap: 8) took a quick power nap, while Martijn Kip (cap: 102) used the moment to close the gap. Nicole van Batenburg (cap: 5), battling stomach pain, has adjusted her goal—she reserved a hotel room, stepping back from her original 48-hour finish target. If you zoom into the live map, Adenau, Bitburg, and Diekirch have become popular resting locations tonight.

Ultra cycling is never just about competition—it’s about the riders and their diverse backgrounds. Mark Keultjes (cap: 166) & Arjen Van der Donk (cap: 167)—owners of Brouwerij Brouwbroertjes—are racing together. Martijn Hendriks (cap: 150) & Herman van der Zandt (cap: 151)—hosts of the Tweewielers podcast—sadly DNFed, but made their presence known with their humorous Instagram post: “UU is not cat pee”. Rinus Spoor (cap: 121), a bike shop owner in Utrecht, adds another unique story to this event.

At this moment, 169 riders are still active, while 16 have DNFed for various reasons—including Tjerk Bakker (cap: 84), an experienced ultra cyclist.
Each race is unpredictable, and no two rides are ever the same. One year, you may stand on the podium, and the next, you may face unforeseen challenges—that’s the beauty of ultra cycling.
By tomorrow morning, we will know the winner. So, bets are open—will it be Lennart, Bas, Martijn, or will an unexpected challenger rise to the occasion? Stay tuned—let’s find out together!

Photo by Yannick-Schurwanz

Push to the Check Points!

Lennart did it again! He conquered the Utrecht Ultra like a true champion, completing 1,035 km in an astonishing 40 hours and 53 minutes. Unbelievable! This marks his second victory in the event, proving his dominance in ultra-endurance racing.

Let’s hear his thoughts on how the race unfolded:

“*I saw Bas was still close after a couple of hours. I did not expect him to be that close. When I resupplied with water at Gennep, he passed me. We had a quick chat. As I had a tailwind, I chose the flat section on the first free parkours. I was flying with an average speed of 45 km/h.

This year, the mandatory parkours were even steeper than last year, making it harder. I had a 36 cm ring in front and a 30 cm in the back, but I tried cycling every climb. I saw that Bas and some other riders walked on these sections.

The gravel sections next to the canal on the finish parkours were the most difficult part for me. The terrain was sandy, and I had 26mm front tire and 28 mm rear tire, so I was very slow there and realized I could not improve my time compared to the previous year.
It was also very cold, and I put on all the layers I had with me. I noticed that Martijn was closing the gap very fast, and since he started 15 minutes later than I did, I switched to time trial mode and started riding as fast as possible. I won, but I was stressed for a while.

It wasn’t a good choice to bring the TT bike again because it did not make a big difference when riding at 25 km/h on mandatory parkours or gravel roads. I will bring a road bike with aerobars next year.

In general, I think I did really well and am happy with my result.*”

Just 1 hour and 20 minutes after Lennart, Martijn Kip crossed the finish line, securing second place. Shortly after, Thijs Pankras completed the podium, finishing 1 hour and 33 minutes later.

While I was writing this update, the top 10 riders have completed their journey. Notable moves in the leaderboard include Nathan Kisjes—who was 20th at CP1—fought his way to 9th place! Bram Den Hertog—16th at CP1—finished 9th overall, just one place lower than last year.

Pair category leader Benjamin van Vianen is near Boxtel and is expected to finish in 3–4 hours. Women’s leader Nicole van Batenburg is approaching Maastricht, soon to enter the finish parkours. Her stomach issues slowed her down significantly, but she never gave up—true to the motto written on her bike: “Don’t stop.”

One of the most unexpected moments of the previous night was Bas Vlaskamp’s deviation at CP3 parkours, where he booked a rest stop. A wise decision—he listened to his body after experiencing knee pain, reminding us that health is more important than speed. He later said, “Finishing is better than not finishing.” And I couldn’t agree more!

There are still 149 riders pushing their limits to reach the finish line. Tomorrow evening, we’ll know how it all goes—who fought through the night, who made surprising moves, and who else crossed the finish line. 

Stay tuned!

Photo by Ruben Platte

Lennart Reigns Again!

The final stretch of the Utrecht Ultra was nothing short of brutal. After conquering steep climbs, riders were thrown into unexpected gravel sections, adding an extra layer of difficulty to an already punishing course. Yet, despite the challenges such as flat tires, knee and stomach issues, one goal remained clear in everyone’s mind: reaching Utrecht as fast as possible.

By the end of Day 3, 54 riders had successfully crossed the finish line. In the pair category, leaders Benjamin van Vianen and Laurens Dhaese wrapped up their race in 56 hours and 52 minutes, with the next pair arriving just 18 minutes later—a thrilling battle between them until the very end.

The women’s race was just as intense. Nicole van Batenburg, the first female finisher, clocked an impressive 67 hours and 46 minutes, with Nathalie Hoogeveen following just 45 minutes later.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the race was Martijn Kip, the undeniable dark horse, who delivered an outstanding performance in his first ultra, securing second place. He even forced Lennart into a stressful chase—an incredible feat for a first-time ultra racer. Although his post-race reaction was a firm “I’m never doing that again,” we’d love to see him challenge the field in another event.

Taking third place, Thijs Pankras arrived in Utrecht fresh from an amazing trip across Africa. His preparation was clear, riding 300 km at an average speed of 32.4 km/h with only 7 minutes of stop time—a true endurance masterclass. He is fundraising for “Plan International,” and those who want to support his mission can find his GoFundMe link on his social media pages.

Among the most remarkable performances was Gert Jan Schilder, who battled his way to 12th place, standing strong against younger competitors. Before the race, he humbly predicted he would finish around 30th, but we agreed he could reach the top 15—and he did even better than expected. His determination was inspiring, and I hope to be as strong as him when I reach his age.

Though 34 riders DNFed, 97 racers are still out there, making their final push to the finish line. Many are already on the closing section, fighting through the last kilometers to Utrecht.
Wishing them a safe journey—I can’t wait to welcome them at the finish party and celebrate their incredible achievements!

Photo by Yannick Schurwanz


The Final Stretch and Fierce Battles!

It is bittersweet, but the Utrecht Ultra has come to an end, closing with a celebration that embodied the spirit of endurance cycling. As the final finishers, Yorick Leusink and Gabriel Saenz, crossed the line, they were met with cheers, applause, and an overwhelming wave of support from fellow participants. I doubt they expected such a reception, but in that moment, the pain faded, replaced by the pure joy of accomplishment.

Watching the ultra cycling community come together like this was a beautiful reminder of how much these riders understand each other’s struggles. They don’t just congratulate each other—they empathize. They know the weight of every kilometre, every sleepless night, every challenge faced along the way.

Reaching the finish line in an ultra race is more than just arriving—it is transformational. Even before you see that light at the end of the tunnel, emotions begin to rise. When I saw the finish line photos, I could feel the raw emotion from a distance. Ultra cycling is not just about riding a bike—it’s about setting a goal and chasing it relentlessly. It’s about stepping outside your comfort zone, embracing uncertainty, facing unexpected challenges, and learning to adapt on the fly. You are never the same person when you cross the finish line as when you set out on the journey.

I might be romanticizing ultra cycling a little, but to me, this is what the experience truly feels like. Every journey leaves a mark, shaping who we are.

Many riders agreed that this year’s finish parkours was particularly demanding, even Ruben admitted it. The final 20 km of gravel tested endurance in the last stretch, yet 144 riders successfully conquered it. Whether fast or slow, whether riding sleek road setups or loaded bikepacking rigs, whether sleeping in hotels, tents, or grabbing short naps on benches, they all had one goal—and they achieved it.

They should be immensely proud. They now have stories to share, memories to cherish, and an experience that will stay with them for a lifetime. I had the privilege of hearing some of those stories during the finish party, and I’ll admit—I felt a bit of FOMO. But even as an observer and commentator, it was a joy to be part of this journey, this passion, this adventure.

A huge thank you to Ruben for organising this incredible event, to Tycjan and Yannick for capturing it so beautifully through photos and videos, and to all the volunteers and riders who made it happen.

Hope to see you all again at Utrecht XL 2025 or Utrecht Ultra 2026—until then, ride strong and chase the next adventure!

*Photo credits - Ruben Platte*

The Finish Line, the Stories, and the Celebration!

Kemal Arslan

Utrecht Ultra offers a mix of free and fixed route, with 98% of the course on tarmac. Riders begin on a fixed route from the starting point in Utrecht, after which they will have to pass through three different checkpoints in the Eifel, Luxembourg, and the Ardennes before returning to The Netherlands.

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