Live updates: Jason Black performing well in the Race Across Italy

ENDURANCE ATHLETE JASON BLACK is currently in 14th place one-third of the way through Race Across Italy.

He has covered just shy of 340 kilometres in 12 and a half hours.

Black today began the the Race Across Italy – the Adriatico-Tirreno-Adriatico Round Trip race – crossing three regions,  two  times  into   the Appennine  touching both the  Tirrenian and the  Adriatic sea, and after 850 kilometres and more that 11,000-metre elevation of climbing finishing finally back in Silvi eastern Italy.

The Race Across Italy 2016 is a qualifying race for the famous Race Across  America and is a  World Ultracycling Cup’s Race – with a value of  60 points – and it’s the top step of the Ultracycling Italian Championship.

Race Across Italy is an extreme event that requires the rider to complete the 850 kilometres in under 36 hours ,if looking for a qualifying place to Race Across America

“My ambition is to firstly finish the 850 kilometre racem2 Black said. “I’ve never raced in an event like this before so it’s completely new and I’m looking to learn from the good, bad and ugly of the challenge.

“I’ve worked so hard to get to this point training mile after mile battling the tough Irish weather conditions over the winter to be ready for this moment.

“I’m so delighted to be supported by my life long friend crew chief Boyd Robinson and endurance expert Michael Black, my cousin.

“I’m in great hands as they keep me right. It’s as big of a Challange to the two lads as it is to myself as they have no sleep at all and have to keep me motivated hydrated, fuelled and on course, navigating day and night in an environment new to us all – it’s a huge responsibility.

“But no better two lads to stand shoulder to shoulder with. Equally my support crew at home is critical, fuelled totally naturally in the race by Anna good at Wholegreen foods Letterkenny, Amanda Witherow who looks after my physical therapy, Michael Curran at cycle pursuit Raphoe providing my top class cycle race equipment, Aura Leisure Centre providing my training facalities and of course the support of family & friends all who make up the success of this winning team.

“Look it’s going to beyond tough but for those that know me I wouldn’t have it any other way. We will do this.”

Jason Black set off at 9.23am Irish time this morning as rider 27 – he can be followed on the live event tracing devise link. Please click here.