Fatal training accident: Ultracycling world record holder Max Riese has died

Last week, we received the shocking news that Max Riese had been killed in an accident on the Rossfeld Panorama Road near Berchtesgaden. According to the current state of the investigation, he collided with a deer that had strayed onto the road whilst he was driving downhill. A female motorist found him and immediately called the mountain rescue service, but help arrived too late.

Everesting world record and a strong personality

Max was one of the world’s best ultracycling athletes, a discipline in which riders cover hundreds to thousands of kilometres and metres of elevation gain; every break counts towards the total time. Last year, he made headlines with a Triple Everesting world record caused a stir. His goal for this year was to achieve the best overall time across all the mountain races. He had won the Hellenic Mountain Race this year and came second in the Silk Road Mountain Race. And in October, he would have taken part in the Taurus Mountain Race.

But Max wasn’t just an athlete; for many, he was also a source of inspiration. As a tour developer and knowledge-sharer, he set up gravgrav.cc, a platform where you can find carefully planned cycle routes across Europe alongside first-hand accounts from the bikepacking community.

Sandra Schuberth, the author of this text, knew Max personally and met him as recently as last weekend at the Gravel Ground. She writes: “When I think of Max, I think of sparkling eyes, nerdy deep conversations, good food, coffee and, of course, his impressive performance on the bike. There was only one time I managed to keep up with him – going uphill; me on an e-gravel bike in turbo mode, him relaxing in Zone 2.”

​Now Max’s girlfriend, friends and family are mourning him, as is the entire ultracycling world. One finds oneself shaking one’s head and wondering: How is it possible that this man had an accident whilst out on a training ride of all things? How is it possible that a deer happened to be exactly where Max was at that very moment? How is it possible that he was just 36 years old?

Max Riese leaves a huge void, both within his family and circle of friends and within the ultracycling and bikepacking communities. His sporting achievements will live on, but above all, so will the memories of a man who inspired others with his enthusiasm, courage and openness.

Our thoughts are with his partner, his family and all those who were close to him.