Weinberg completes cycle tour through 14 European countries

Former professional cyclist Markus Weinberg has successfully completed his cycle tour across Europe. He crossed the finish line in Cabo de São Vicente on Sunday as planned. Even a corona infection could not stop the 41-year-old from Dresden at the end. He made it to the Portuguese Atlantic coast "with a responsibly low heart rate", Weinberg announced.

7,800 kilometers by bike through Europe

Weinberg started in Grense Jakobselv on the Norwegian-Russian border in mid-August and crossed 14 countries on his approximately 7,800-kilometer "European Connection Trail".

With the tour, he primarily wanted to promote European unity. "We should focus more on the European idea of community and not allow ourselves to be divided," said the athlete, who now earns his living as a journalist and documentary filmmaker.

Book planned about tour across Europe

"I noticed how I slowed down more and more on the last few kilometers, not because I was out of breath, but because I wanted to enjoy the last section of the route once again, somewhere between melancholy and a deeply felt joy and gratitude," Weinberg said on request.

He now wants to write a book about the tour, during which he also conducted many interviews. Weinberg emphasized that he was surprised at how little concerns about war played a role in the discussions.

"One highlight was certainly that I was able to speak in the European Parliament at a specially convened press conference - that was something very special," said Weinberg.

There were many exciting encounters on the tour. He was often spontaneously invited by people and was able to spend the night with them. One couple had expressed concern that Europe and its advantages were not appreciated enough. "I would like to contribute to putting the idea and vision of Europe back in the foreground and less the bureaucratic elements."