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More Than Just a Race: Trans Balkan Race (Video)
“More Than Just a Race” is the raw and unfiltered story of Alberto Spreafico’s experience at the 2024 Trans Balkan Race and his fight for sobriety. Watch the inspirational 30-minute video here…
More Than Just a Race is a redemption story following Alberto Spreafico and his struggle to stay sober, using the Trans Balkan Race as a challenge to reclaim his life. The Trans Balkan Race is a 1,350-kilometer off-road bikepacking race across the Balkans through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia Herzegovina, and Montenegro. There are two mandatory checkpoints and a 10-day cutoff. Watch More Than Just a Race below, and then scroll down for a recap from the race organizer and photos from the event.
Words by Beatrice Mezzena Lona (Race Organizer and Director)
Grief, struggle, addiction, persistence, grit, and guts. These are just some of the ingredients in More Than Just a Race, the story of Alberto at the Trans Balkan Race. Alberto is a ski instructor with one big problem: alcohol. But when he discovers bikepacking, he sees a chance to confront his grief head-on and begins a journey that will take him to face the biggest challenge of his life: staying sober. The ultimate test to prove his commitment? Finishing the Trans Balkan Race, one of the toughest off-road races on the planet.
Ever since we created the Trans Balkan Race, Luca and I have dreamed of producing a film that captures its essence. But we wanted something more than the typical bikepacking story about battling to the finish line or racing for first place. We felt the Trans Balkan Race had the potential to tell a different kind of story—one of personal growth, transformation, and redemption. This led us to Alberto’s journey.
In 2023, Alberto set out to ride the Trans Balkan Race. His story embodies bikepacking as a deeply personal challenge, pushing not just physical limits but internal ones as well. More Than Just a Race is about Alberto, but it speaks to the struggles, triumphs, and reflections that many bikepackers experience along the way. It’s a story where anyone who’s ever faced a challenging route or an inner battle can relate to.
Further Reading
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