With ‘TORTOUR – Live on the Edge’, the world’s largest non-stop ultracycling
event is being transformed for the first time into a globally staged live reality show. From 13 to 16 August 2026, the
TORTOUR will return to its birthplace, Schaffhausen – and, alongside the existing
race categories, will feature international celebrity teams for the first time, including well-known
figures from the world of sport such as Dario Cologna and Alistair Brownlee.
From 13 to 16 August 2026, Schaffhausen will become the hotspot of the international ultracycling scene. The world’s
largest multi-day non-stop ultracycling event through the Swiss Alps and neighbouring regions returns, after six
editions in Zurich – three each in Zurich Sihlcity and Küsnacht-Zurich – to its
original location for its 18th edition. The start and finish area is located at the ice rink.
“It is with pride and great gratitude that we look back on the successful events in Zurich. Driven by a
desire for something new and building on tried-and-tested elements, we are looking forward to the comeback at the Schaffhausen Rhine Falls – the
birthplace of the TORTOUR. We already have some exciting and innovative highlights up our sleeves,” says Joko Vogel,
owner of TORTOUR, who is open to alternating between Schaffhausen and Zurich as host venues in future.
World premiere: Reality meets extreme sport
At the heart of TORTOUR 2026 is a format that has never before been seen in cycling: Six teams, each with
six riders, will be accompanied round the clock over 500 kilometres by
camera crews as part of ‘TORTOUR – Live on the Edge’. The result will not be a traditional sports broadcast, but an emotional live reality story
straight from the toughest part of the race.
Viewers won’t just see who’s in the lead. They’ll experience what’s happening within the teams: how strategies are formed –
and fail. How fatigue alters decisions. How conflicts flare up, doubts grow and, out of pain,
new energy suddenly emerges. The story begins even before the race, with an introduction to the teams, their
preparations, their goals and their race strategy. During the TORTOUR, it becomes clear live on air who sticks together, who
reaches their limits and who ultimately surpasses themselves.
Six teams are taking part. The riders include, amongst others, Dario Cologna, Alistair
Brownlee, Reto Hollenstein, Florian Vogel, Ide Schelling, Jan Matiaska, Brennan Wertz, Levi Leipheimer, Thomas
Litscher and Nico Stahlberg. They all bring their own history, experience and personality to the race.
Live, unvarnished and up close
This new format is made possible by the close integration of sporting presentation, live production and narrative
storytelling. Together with our partner Two Circles, we’re creating a live narrative that provides dramatic commentary on the race in real time
and highlights the decisive moments across all platforms.
Over 20 cameras, drones, on-board perspectives and live data bring every phase of the race to life.
Heart rate, power output, position and race progress are integrated in real time. Added to this are AI-powered analyses,
interactive features and direct fan engagement. Viewers don’t just watch the race – they’re
right in the thick of it.
‘TORTOUR – Live on the Edge’ can be watched worldwide on YouTube from 5.00 am on 14 August,
commentated on by the well-known cycling commentators Matt Stephens and Hannah Walker, who also frequently work
for Eurosport. In Switzerland, the programme will be broadcast on TV24 from 7.00 pm, accompanied by the ‘Gümmeler-Talk’
podcast hosts Aldo Schaller and Patrick Nogdalla.
Alongside ‘TORTOUR – Live on the Edge’, the existing race categories will also remain part of the event. The
legendary main race, the TORTOUR 1000, will once again take riders around Switzerland and can be tackled solo or in teams.
These are joined by the TORTOUR 500 and TORTOUR 250 distances, as well as the charity ride TORTOUR MYSELF 50. All
participants will complete the final 50-kilometre lap together – an emotional finish and
showdown for all categories
