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The 2026 IncaDivide crowned two French riders at the conclusion of one of the world’s most demanding ultracycling events. Pierre Rolland won in 83 hours in his first attempt at such a distance, while Laurianne Levasseur won the women’s race and took a remarkable fifth place in the overall standings.
Source: Press Release – Photo credit ©BikingMan
After more than 1,200 kilometers across the Peruvian Andes and nearly 23,000 meters of elevation gain, Pierre Rolland won the 2026 IncaDivide in 83 hours. A remarkable performance for the former professional cyclist, who was experiencing ultradistance racing and the challenges of extreme high altitude for the first time.
The Frenchman had to contend with several sections at altitudes exceeding 4,400 meters, including a pass reaching 5,200 meters. It was a particularly demanding experience for someone tackling an event of this scale for the first time.
His victory came after a long duel with Peruvian Rodney Soncco, a multiple IncaDivide winner and a regular in BikingMan events. The two men regularly battled for the lead as the kilometers went by, before Pierre Rolland finally pulled ahead.
Rodney Soncco ultimately finished second in 85 hours and 55 minutes, greeted at the finish line by his family in a particularly moving moment.
For Pierre Rolland, this victory is above all a reward for an extraordinary human and athletic journey. At the finish line, the former professional explained that he was drawn more by the joy of riding and the sense of calm he finds on his bike than by the pursuit of a specific result.
“I feel so good when I’m on my bike. The most important thing is the journey: the ride itself. Finishing first is great, but everyone who crosses the finish line is a winner.”
A philosophy that perfectly captures the spirit of this event, where simply finishing is already a major achievement. Pierre Rolland now considers the IncaDivide to be, in fact, “probably the toughest race in the world.”
Laurianne Levasseur, first among women and fifth overall
France also made its mark in the women’s category with Laurianne Levasseur’s victory. The French ultracyclist took first place among women and, more importantly, fifth place overall, following a particularly strong performance.
This performance is all the more remarkable given that Laurianne Levasseur competes as an amateur and must balance her ultracycling career with her professional life. Nevertheless, she has gradually established herself among the discipline’s top athletes thanks to her experience and consistency in the longest races.
A regular on the BikingMan circuit, she nevertheless faced an unprecedented challenge in Peru with this crossing of the Andes and its extreme conditions. Her fifth-place finish in the overall standings thus confirms her ability to compete with the best specialists, men and women alike.
1,200 km and 23,000 m of elevation gain across the Andes
The 2026 IncaDivide featured a particularly demanding course starting from the legendary Sacred Valley of Cusco. Participants had to cover approximately 1,200 km and accumulate nearly 23,000 meters of elevation gain.
Beyond the race itself, the IncaDivide also offers an immersion in Andean landscapes and Peruvian culture, with a journey through the heart of local communities.
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