Jure Robic & Byggkjop/BMC Cycling Team Win Race Across America 2008

(PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- After 3,014 miles, RAAM defending champion Jure Robic of Slovenia has won the solo men's race in the 27th Race Across America (RAAM). Robic rode from Oceanside, CA to Annapolis in 8 days, 23 hours, and 33 minutes, averaging 13.98 miles per hour. This is Robic's fourth win, a new RAAM record as the only man ever to win four RAAM's.

The Norwegian-based 8-person Byggkjop/BMC Cycling Team won the team division, setting a new record. Beating the team record by 5 hours, 47 minutes set by Team Type 1 in 2007, the Byggkjop/BMC Cycling Team finished the race in 5 days, 9 hours, and 56 minutes, averaging 23.20 miles per hour. This was the first year Byggkjop/BMC Cycling Team competed in RAAM, and the first year the 8 riders of the team had participated in this coast-to-coast race.

Terry Zmrhal, Race Director for RAAM, said, "I want to congratulate both Jure Robic and the Byggkjop/BMC Cycling Team for their record-breaking wins this year. To see such outstanding races from a champion race veteran like Robic, and then the amazing win from the BMC rookie team makes this a spectacular year."

Samuel Zbogar, Slovenia's Ambassador to the United States, was on hand at the Annapolis finish to congratulate Robic, a member of the Slovenian Armed Forces.

Robic has completed this race five times now, winning it four, and taking second place his rookie year. In another attempt he was forced from the race course due to illness. Robic's domination of RAAM is both awe inspiring and remarkable.

Finishing the Race Across America is truly a monumental accomplishment. The RAAM organization congratulates all the athletes who participated in the races this year. More than 250 men and women from 17 countries took part in the Race Across America (RAAM), the world's premiere ultra-endurance transcontinental cycling event. The non-stop 3,000 mile bicycle race started in Oceanside, California, and the race route stretched through 15 states finishing in Annapolis, Maryland.

For 27 years RAAM has set the bar extremely high with their single-stage style race. Competitors must meet stringent qualifications, usually training 1-3 years to prepare themselves for the rigors of the challenge. The physical side of RAAM is only part of the difficulty; the mental fortitude required to complete this race is something usually training 1-3 years to prepare themselves for the rigors of the challenge. The physical side of RAAM is only part of the difficulty; the mental fortitude required to complete this race is something usually associated with more mature athletes. Robic is 43 years old, and all 8 members of the Byggkjop/BMC Cycling Team are over the age of 40.

The solo women's division leader is expected to finish the race June 19, with the other solo competitors and teams (2, 4, and 8 person) completing the race by 5:00 p.m. EDT on June 20.