Sebastian Breuer, winner of the Badlands 800 ultra-endurance race, breaks down how he combines aerodynamic optimization with practical bike-packing setup to maintain speed across gruelling 800km+ events. From his velodrome-tested bar position to ceramic-speed drivetrain choices and tire pressure tuning, learn how marginal gains compound into race-winning advantages while still balancing a full-time career at Schwalbe.
Key Takeaways
- 13 watts of aerodynamic savings from testing bar and rack combinations on a velodrome is significant over 800km events—small details like Garmin mount position and helmet choice all add up to speed
- Pacing ultra-endurance races at 190-200W (around zone 2) with a power meter removes the guesswork and lets you conserve energy for surges when competitors fade
- The UFO wax-based chain from Ceramic Speed eliminates maintenance burden over long events—no oil means no dirt accumulation across 800km of desert riding
- Route-based self-supported races like Badlands offer better pacing strategy and scenery than navigation-dependent events like Transcontinental; stick to known courses if speed is your goal
- Mental resilience in ultra-racing means leaning into suffering as a competitive advantage—when fatigue hits hardest, that's when others drop, so it's your moment to accelerate
- Experience with tire pressure, sealant, and puncture repair systems matters more than following a formula; spend time learning how your specific setup behaves on varied terrain
Expert Quotes
"If it hurts it's perfect because if it hurts me the others, they are still not alive anymore."
"I started cycling with road racing and for me it was every time about being aerodynamics as much as possible but on the same time to have a position your comfort level with."
"The most important thing is to enjoy the time and to be outside and yeah be out of your daily life—but when it's about a race I think you really have to take care about aerodynamics."