Transcontinental Race (London - Istanbul) - #TCRNo4

Yup. It's just got to last til nearest town with a bike shop though so fingers crossed

Indeed. TCR at its best!

Nyfeler scratched - sad to see.

Nyfeler scratched - sad to see.

Blog post seems to think he was looking for an official way across the border but I'm guessing there must have been something else going on for him to scratch.

Can't be much more frustrating than to have got so far and have to do a big re-route in storms thanks to red tape. Hoping @neilp and @CarlosBI don't get thwarted trying to leave Montenegro without entry stamps - tense.

Neil Phillips is about 50km from the next border. We'll find out how his (and 4 others so far) unconventional entry into Montenegro effects his exit in a couple of hours.

Phillips has taken a turn south. Looking for another dodgy border crossing? Brave strategy if so.

I believe he did a lot of research around the borders in these countries last year. They took the same one last year, this is his partners tracker from last year as his didn't work most of the time

http://trackleaders.com/transconrace15i.php?name=172a___Timothy_France

How did they enter Montenegro without getting a stamp?

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@43.1585368,18.6559267,2370m/data=!3m1!1e3

Affects. Surely?
Unless you're being well old. Like clive.

hippy's problem in this is that he has to combine riding with his second first job of eating a trail of devastation across Europe. It's why he won't win.

Let's settle on 'eaffects' as a compromise.

Most countries don't even bother stamping. Its only Serbia/Kosovo where border crossing is sketchy

Neil is across without any issues and enjoying some switchbacks with official car

Awesome, looks like Carlos is following the same route.

Next up we'll see which way skinny goes #4thplaceandflying

Nice shots of Allegaert's bike setup at 50 seconds in on http://nieuws.vtm.be/sport/201065-deze-helden-fietsen-4200-km-naar-turkije

doh, wrong tab

@Keiway#152 is also reporting derailleur problems and the need to visit a bike shop.

Should have ridden fixed

yes that's Frank van der Sman, Dutchie, no. 66

After last night the race really is Exciting.

Kristof is out in front, but ranks 2 - 5 are all closely packed and all seem to have had a decent rest over night. 6th place (#2 Alexandre Bourgeonnier) seems to have gained a lot over the past 24 hours and is also in the mix but also doesn't seem to have rested since having a decent sleep on the night of August 4th. For these guys it's almost a drag race to the finish now.

Really feel for Hansi Nyfeler (now scratched) and Peter Sandholt who have lost a lot of time crossing into Montenegro.

Kristoph has seen his last mountain. All he has to contend with now are lorries. Lots of lorries.

Just heard, very sadly, that Alex Wright has scratched due to Achilles issues. Gutsy ride. She says she will be back next year.

Alex Bourgeonnier scratched. He was at the end of the line, really.

Sad times for riders who have put in so much prep and given so much of themselves to scratch late on. So much respect though