Peter Sandholt has come third in the Race Across America 2015! The event, described as ‘the world’s toughest endurance bicycle race’, covers 4800kms coast-to-coast across the United States of America. We managed to cycle Peter in for a quick interview.
Peter Sandholt | mini profile
- Age: 38-years
- Home location: Horsens, Denmark
- Sport: Ultra-cycling
- Occupation: High school teacher. Subjects: Physical education and Social Science
- Years in current sport: 2 years
Tell us about your background and how it has led you to being an ultra-cyclist?
I’ve always been doing a lot of sport. I’m extremely competitive, so after a soccer injury I ended up cycling. The races kept getting longer and longer, and I discovered the longer the races were, the better I was.
I have been cycling for 10-12 years at a competitive level. A couple of years ago I decided to try out my fascination for ultra-cycling. I like ultra-cycling for many reasons. You need to be strong physically and mentally, and then there´s the whole adventure aspect. I like the fact that you very often ride under new conditions with constantly new demands.
What did Race Across America 2015 involve?
- Two years of preparation
- Almost $100,000 budget
- A 20-25 training scheme per week
- Hundreds of hours seeking sponsors and doing logistics
- Several training camps abroad
- Training at night in order to fit in the training
- A seven person crew
- 4.800kms of riding, 52,000 height meter
How have Formthotics helped you?
When I did my first ultra-cycling event in Slovenia in May 2014, I had huge pains under my front of my feet. It was a burning sensation. I checked the market and the Formthotics insoles seemed what I needed, so I got in contact with SportsPharma in Vejle, Denmark. They immediately were extremely friendly and helpful. I visited them, had the insoles made, and I tested them in Race Around Ireland. After that, Formthotics proved to be the product I had needed. I no longer had the pain under my feet.
Is there anyone you would like to thank?
Yes. I would like to thank my family and friends, and especially my wife, Elna. It has been tough at times through the last couple of years training for the race, and she has been outstanding. And of course I would like to thank my sponsors and my crew. It has been a privilege to represent and work with them.
What challenges you most in cycling?
In daily life, it’s combining the many hours of training with a family life (I am married with three children age 8, 6 and 4). In races, it’s the sleep deprivation. I always get sleepy before my legs get tired.
