There is a Forgione frame that, in the summer of 2026, crossed the whole of Europe: from the continent's northernmost point all the way to Tarifa, on the southernmost coast of mainland Europe. The story is told directly by Carlo Centofanti, friend and customer of the Gesualdo workshop, whom we already followed last year along the Trans Balkan Race 2025. This time the challenge was the NorthCape-Tarifa, one of the longest endurance road races in the world. We'll let him tell it.

On 20 June 2026 the 5th edition of the NorthCape-Tarifa began, the longest biennial endurance race in the world. Our adventure started at midnight, wrapped in the timeless light of the North Cape's midnight sun.

There were 61 athletes heading for Tarifa, 75 at the start overall, representing 31 nations. After 33 days, 17 hours and 3 minutes in the saddle, I finished 16th overall, crossing the line in Tarifa after covering 7,400 km, climbing 85,000 metres of elevation and crossing 15 nations, riding from the northernmost to the southernmost point of mainland Europe through countries, cultures and endless landscapes.

It was the hardest, most complex and most fascinating stretch of paved road I have ever ridden. Having the chance to cross Europe along this endless, demanding route is a privilege I will always carry with me.

What truly makes this race unique is the sense of safety and isolation: the constant choice to favour secondary roads led us into remote corners of the continent that no organised tour could ever reveal — this also meant covering 600 km of gravel. On top of that, the event allows no outside support of any kind: you are completely on your own, you have to manage everything by yourself, from food to sleep, and riding in a group is not allowed.

The experience wasn't without its setbacks, and the weather certainly wasn't kind: cold, wind and heat all played their part, but the drive to reach the finish line was strong, and my mind and heart never wavered. Fortunately there was never a moment of real danger — I never had to lock the bike, and more than once I slept outdoors in complete peace, welcomed everywhere by the warmth of the local people.

Arriving in Tarifa was an indescribable joy. In the final kilometres, when the coast of Morocco appeared to my left, the emotion truly took over.

The bike that accompanied me on this journey has a real soul, and it's made of steel — a special steel, born from the patient hands of Vincenzo Forgione.

Thank you, Vincenzo, for your work of art.