Victor Bosoni arrived at the US-Mexico border on Tuesday 23 June 2026 to claim victory at the Tour Divide in a time of 11 days, 08:27:00, demolishing the previous official men’s record by nearly two full days. The 24-year-old Frenchman from Corgoloin covered all 4,418 kilometres of the multi-surface route — from Banff, Alberta, to the desert outpost of Antelope Wells, New Mexico — entirely self-supported aboard a rigid Factor SARANA gravel bike sponsored by Factor Racing and Rapha.
Bosoni is only the second rider in the race’s history to finish in under 12 days, eclipsing Justinas Leveika’s 2024 official record of 13 days, 02:16:00 by 1 day, 17 hours and 49 minutes. He also bettered Robin Gemperle’s faster but unofficial 2025 time by more than 10 hours.
A genetic condition that causes testosterone deficiency limits Bosoni’s peak sprint power, but it poses little obstacle over ultra-endurance distances—the discipline in which he excels. His strategy was unconventional: sleeping five to six hours each night in hotels, including one stay at a Marriott, and prioritising recovery as, in his own words, his “secret weapon”.
Bosoni reached Antelope Wells nearly 375 miles ahead of second-placed Laurens ten Dam, the 45-year-old Dutch former WorldTour professional, who finished in 13 days, 07:45:00—a commanding runner-up performance and redemption after placing third in 2024.
In the women’s race, Canadian Meaghan Hackinen delivered an equally historic ride. The 41-year-old from Kelowna, British Columbia, finished in 14 days, 10:02:00, becoming the first woman to reach Antelope Wells and setting a new women’s fastest known time. She lowered her previous mark by more than a day and a half.
Bosoni’s path to the finish was not without setbacks. Mechanical problems with his rear rack slowed him on days five and six, and he also started 20 minutes behind the front group after organisers split the 221 riders into staggered departure waves. However, he had rejoined the leaders by mile 50.
The 2026 Tour Divide has set a new benchmark for what the human body—and the right race strategy—can achieve.
Photo Credit: Arthur Bosani
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