German athlete Fiona Kolbinger has become the first woman to win the Transcontinental Race, an epic endurance test spanning the width of Europe.
The 24-year-old cancer researcher took just over ten days to cycle almost 2,500 miles from Burgas, Bulgaria to Brest, France, finishing first in a field of 265 riders, including more than 200 men.
Kolbinger becomes only the fourth different winner of the annual race since it was launched in 2013, and the first from outside the UK or Belgium.
Riders may choose their own route from start to finish, but must pass through four checkpoints on their way, the last of which was the notorious Alpe d’Huez, known as one of the most challenging climbs on the Tour de France.
"I am so, so, surprised to win," said Kolbinger. "When I was coming into the race I thought that maybe I could go for the women's podium, but I never thought I could win the whole race."
