RAD-RACE | LAST MAN STANDING

Team Quella rider Callum Jeandin was one of 150 riders let loose for the 2020 Last Man Standing race in Berlin to battle against some of the best fixie riders in the world. 

This incredible event takes place on a tight indoor go-kart track with 10 riders per race racing fixed-wheel bikes at the same time with no brakes – sound like chaos?? Yep, it is! It is fast and furious with lots of crashes – incredible bike handling as well as speed and fitness are the key to success.

Last Man Standing is organised by the amazing Rad-Race team and, as well as bringing together some of the world’s best Crit riders, they managed to persuade former time-trial World and Olympic champ, Fabien Cancellara to take part. ‘Spartacus’ was looking very cool and definitely sprinkled some celebrity stardust on this high octane event. Another rider well known to the audience was James Lowsley-Williams from GCN who was here for a second helping having competed last year.

Check out the video that we made from Rad race here – https://youtu.be/YDakFuexQfw

Despite the incredibly high standard of the riders, the backdrop is more like a rave than a pro-sport event with D.J’s banging out pumping music, with full light and sound system, and LOTS of noise from a very enthusiastic crowd who make full use of the bar.  As well as the super competitive hard core riders, there is also a great reception for those riding in fancy dress or not much dress at all in some cases.  The format is brutal, after every two laps, the last rider is pulled out of the race to get down to 4 who progress to the next heat until, eventually, there is only a ‘Last Man Standing’.  This means the standard gets higher and the races get faster as the evening progresses – it’s a fantastic spectacle and a great atmosphere.  After holding his own well in his heat, our man in black, Callum, on his Quella Varsity had a minor crash which slowed him up and he just missed out on progressing but survived to tell the tale.  Huge congratulations to British rider Alec Briggs who made it to the top of the podium after some very hard racing – amazing performance!!  French fixie ace Margaux Vigie was untouchable in the women’s event and always looked in control to take the trophy.  Once the racing finished, it was time for the music to get even louder and a proper after-party to finish things off.

Will we be back?  Yes, for sure, it’s epic!!

Big thanks to Limar helmets for hooking us up for the event, check them out here – https://limar.com/?lang=en

Thanks to Henry Little for the film and photography, check his instagram out – @hen_piccolo