Jana Kesenheimer

The face of the BIKE FILM TOUR Season 1:
Meet ultracyclist Jana Kesenheimer!

On the bike across Europe - unsupported. That's where Jana's passion and talent lies. But the world's toughest bike race also presents her with new challenges. Let's find out, how strong she really is!

Janas grit, passion, and unstoppable energy make her the perfect face of the BIKE FILM TOUR Season 1. Our tour starts with her spirit on every poster and every ride.

In this article:

Behind the scenes 4 Facts about Jana About Transcontinental Race

Behind the scenes: the photo shoot

Jana appears in the film Transcontinental Race, which is part of Season 1.
Find all the details about the film here.

4 facts about Jana

Triathlon Background

Before focusing on ultracycling, Jana competed in triathlons. This diverse athletic foundation has shaped her endurance and discipline.

Previous Achievements

In 2020, Jana participated in the Three Peaks Bike Race and immediately placed third. Just a year later, she won the women’s category and secured an impressive fifth place overall.

Victory at the Transcontinental Race 2024

Jana Kesenheimer won the women’s category at the Transcontinental Race 2024, reaching the finish line in Istanbul after 11 days, 3 hours, and 57 minutes.

Mental Strength Through Psychology

In addition to her career as an ultracyclist, Jana holds a PhD in psychology. She leverages her academic background to develop mental strategies for overcoming the challenges of ultracycling.

Follow Jana on Instagram

On Instagram, Jana shares insights into her training, races, and daily life under the username @jananas.banjana.

jananas.banjana

Transcontinental Race

The Transcontinental Race (TCR) is a fascinating and challenging ultra-distance cycling race across Europe.

Here are some facts you might not know about it:

Founding

The TCR was established in 2013 by British ultracyclist Mike Hall and has since become one of the most renowned unsupported cycling races in the world.

Time Trial

The race is a non-stop time trial with no stages. The clock runs continuously from start to finish, requiring participants to decide how to divide their time between riding, resting, and sleeping.

Each participant carries a GPS tracker, allowing spectators to follow the race in real time.

The 2024 Route

The 2024 route stretched from Roubaix in France to Istanbul in Turkey.

Participants had to cover a distance of approximately 4,000 kilometers with a total elevation gain of around 45,000 meters.

The race route changes every year, with only the start, finish, and a few checkpoints being fixed. Riders are free to plan their exact route in between, requiring strategic thinking.

Self-Supported Principle

Participants must complete the race without external support. This means they are responsible for their own food, repairs, and accommodation, and they are not allowed to accept any outside assistance.

High Dropout Rate

Due to the extreme physical and mental demands, only about half of the riders who start the race typically make it to the finish line.

Transcontinental Race – 4,000 km across Europe.

In this film of the BIKE FILM TOUR SEASON 1, Jana Kesenheimer and Joschka Völkel participate in the world's hardest all road race. They face a grueling week on their bikes, riding almost non-stop and rarely crossing paths with their fellow competitors.

Film details