Taking on the Transcordilleras with Janosch Wintermantel

Words by Janosch Wintermantel
Pic by Janosch Wintermantel

Colombia’s Transcordilleras Race provides a fresh take on adventure competition, offering riders a choice of formats through which to traverse the countries challenging, beautiful off-road terrain. Whether taking on the event on a team or solo, as a single stage or over several, there’s no wrong way to ride Transcordilleras.

Just ask Janosch Wintermantel, who competed in this year’s eight-stage race, sharing his experience below.

First off, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your cycling background?

J: I am German, living in Spain. I started cycling when I was 11 years old. It was the year Jan Ullrich won the Tour de France, and I got hooked and convinced my dad to get me a road bike and started racing. I raced for 11 years until I got a bit sick of it—too many doping cases in the professional world, and I also wanted to enjoy my student life.

After a year completely away from the sport, I fell in love with cycling more than ever before, to ride just for fun without the pressure of feeling like I had to train. I’ve done all my work experience since then in cycling. I worked for a cycling magazine during my studies, did my master’s thesis with Pinarello, and worked as a global marketing manager for BMC and SCOTT.

How did you get into adventure racing? What was your first event?

J: I simply started to love to travel by bike. I cycled, for example, from the US to Colombia. I felt like it was not such a big difference to then do an ultra race, as I was already used to riding hard with bags on my bike in remote places. My first race was Badlands, where I finished in a surprise third place.

What motivated you to take on the Transcordilleras race?

J: I love Colombia; I’d traveled there by bike twice before, and I simply loved the idea of racing across the country. I also had a couple of Colombian friends who convinced me to come.

How did you prepare for the race?

J: I simply did some adventure rides in Gran Canaria, where I was based for two months over winter. Mentally, you just have to know that it never goes as you expect, ha. Logistically, I just made sure I had the best equipment possible ready for race day. Thanks to PEdALED and SCOTT, this was an easy one.

The race offers several competitive formats to appeal to different styles of cyclists. Which category did you choose and why?

J: For me, it was clear from the beginning to go for the eight-stage version. Racing hard and resting well is more to my liking than the nonstop version.

What’s the riding like in Colombia?

J: The gravel is way rougher than what we are used to in Europe. You have to be mentally prepared for this. Also, the altitude can be very tough. The best part is simply the adventure factor. It is so cool to just race through such a diverse country; there is always a surprise around the next corner.

Which stage stands out most strongly in your memory?

J: It was very nice to win a stage. Also, the close battles on stages three and five were pretty epic as were the crazy conditions of the queen stage on stage seven, but I have to say stage eight stands out the most. To race all day with such an elevation profile on only one gear, as my shifting had broken, and to almost come away with the victory is something I will never forget. Mentally and physically, it was definitely one of the most special rides of my life.

What are the social dynamics like during Transcordilleras?

J: You race hard all day. There are no presents out there. Don’t expect someone will wait for you if you puncture, for example. Then, when you finish the stage, it is the complete opposite. It just feels like being with a bunch of friends: sharing dinners and rooms and everyone wants to help you if you have a problem.

How does Transcordilleras compare to other adventure races you’ve taken part in?

J: It is a real race and an adventure in every aspect. This is not the case for other events I’ve done. They are more foreseeable, or it feels less like a real race at most ultras, for example. Transcordilleras is a real adventure and a race at all times.

What would you do differently next time?

J: I would train a bit more and come a few days earlier to adjust to the altitude, but apart from that, nothing really. My mind and my equipment were already as they should be.

Will there be a next time?

J: Let’s see! It still scares me when I think about doing it again, ha!