RUNDER

RUNDER ELITE 
JEAN BIERMANS

Dutch gravel and ultra-endurance cyclist with a passion for long-distance adventure racing. Based in Maastricht but South African at heart, he's built his name in the disciplines where endurance, resilience and consistency matter more than raw speed.

Gravel racing, 24-hour events, and ultra-distance challenges that push riders through the night and out the other side are where Jean loves to exist. Where most people would run away, Jean charges forward.

His palmarès spans two continents. He's a two-time winner of South Africa's 36ONE Challenge (2014 and 2015) and a finisher of The Munga — the brutal 1,000-plus-kilometre race across the Karoo — placing 13th in 2016. At Germany's 24 Hours of Nürburgring he's won twice, taking the four-man MTB team title in 2009 and the road duo in 2023. More recently he took third at the UCI Gravel World Series round in Vianden, Luxembourg (2026) and stood on the podium at South African gravel races including the Ronde van Swartberg and the Filthy Fondo, alongside countless other 24-hour, 12-hour and marathon events.

 

Having come back from a serious leg injury, Jean rides with a hard-won perspective: endurance, for him, isn't about never suffering, but about accepting it and turning the pedals anyway. When the gels run out he swears by bananas on the bike — and real, savoury, protein-rich food to recover once the day in the saddle is done.

Where did your love of going long actually begin — your first bike, your first ultra, or the moment you knew endurance was your thing?

It wasn't one single moment. I started on a mountain bike, but I quickly realized I enjoyed the rides that just kept going. The longer and harder the challenge, the more I liked it. Over time I moved into gravel racing, where endurance, pacing, and mental strength are just as important as speed. After my leg injury, endurance took on a whole new meaning. Every long ride became proof that limits can be pushed, and that's what keeps me coming back.

The Munga is over 1,000 km through the Karoo on almost no sleep. What goes through your head at 3am on day two, and how do you keep turning the pedals?

At 3am on day two, everything gets quiet. You're tired, your body hurts, and the finish still feels a long way off. That's when the race stops being about your legs and becomes all about your mind.

 

I don't think about the next 1,000 kilometersI think about getting to the next checkpoint, the next climb, or simply the next few minutes. Breaking the race into small goals makes the impossible feel manageable.

 

I've learned that endurance isn't about never suffering. It's about accepting that suffering is part of the experience and continuing anyway. Every pedal stroke brings you closer, even if it doesn't feel like it at the time.

 

Having come back from a serious leg injury, I never take being able to ride for granted. When things get really tough, I remind myself how lucky I am to still be out there. That perspective helps me keep turning the pedals, one revolution at a time, until the sun comes up again.

24-hour racing is as much about pacing, logistics and discipline as it is about legs. How do you prepare for an event like that?

A 24-hour race is won long before the start line. Fitness is only one piece of the puzzle. Success comes from preparation, discipline, and making good decisions when you're tired.

 

I train my body to ride for hours, but I also train my mind to stay patient. The biggest mistake is going out too hard. I stick to my pacing plan, even when everyone else seems faster in the opening hours, because I know the real race starts later.

 

Nutrition and hydration are just as important as power. I have a fueling strategy that I trust and I stick to it, even when I don't feel like eating. The same goes for logistics—having the right equipment, a reliable bike, and minimizing time spent in the pits can make a huge difference over 24 hours.

 

Most of all, I focus on consistency. You don't need to be the fastest rider every lap you need to be the rider who keeps moving efficiently, makes the fewest mistakes, and is still riding strong when everyone else is struggling. That's what endurance racing is all about.

When you’re deep into a race and can’t face another gel, how do you keep eating? What role does real, savoury food play — and how does Runder fit in (does it go on your rides or is more post workout treat)?

After hours on the bike, there comes a point where you simply can't look at another gel. That's why I never rely on just one type of nutrition. I like to mix it up with bananas, bars, and, when possible, some real savoury food. It gives me something to look forward to and helps prevent flavour fatigue during the race.

 

I'm a big fan of bananas. They're easy on my stomach, packed with carbohydrates, and they're one of the foods I can almost always eat, even late into an ultra-distance event.

 

Runder fits perfectly into that balance. For me, it's mainly a post-ride or post-race recovery treat. After spending hours living on sports nutrition, having something real, savoury, and satisfying is exactly what my body and mind are craving. It feels like a reward after a long day in the saddle.

 

The key in ultra racing is simple: keep eating before you're hungry. The moment you stop fueling, you're already falling behind. Finding foods you genuinely enjoy makes it much easier to stay on top of your nutrition when the race gets tough.

You’ve raced The Munga and the 36ONE across South Africa, the home of biltong. What’s your relationship with that country and its food?

South Africa has become a very special place for me. Racing events like The Munga and the 36ONE taught me that endurance is about much more than fitness. The landscapes are incredible, the people are welcoming, and there's a real adventure around every corner.

 

One thing you quickly discover is the food culture. Biltong is everywhere, and after spending hours on the bike, you understand why. It's simple, tasty, and packed with protein. During a race I still focus mainly on carbohydrates, bananas are my favourite, together with sports nutrition, because that's what keeps the engine running. But after a long stage or at the finish, sitting down with some biltong and a good meal is hard to beat.

 

South Africa has given me some of my toughest racing experiences and some of my best memories. Every time I go back, it feels a bit like coming home.

What’s the ride still on your list — the one that scares you a little?

People expect me to name a new race, but honestly... it's The Munga again.

 

I know how tough it is. I know what the Karoo feels like in the middle of the night, when you're exhausted, alone, and questioning every decision that brought you there. That's exactly why it still scares me a little.

 

For me, The Munga isn't just another race—it's unfinished business. Every edition is different, and no matter how much experience you have, the race demands your full respect. It pushes you physically, mentally, and emotionally like few other events can.

 

That's also why I want to go back. The races that scare you the most are often the ones that teach you the most, and I'd love another chance to take on The Munga.

Spill the beans on which Runder products are your favourites?

Knowing my own taste, the Japanese Wagyu Biltong, the Original Biltong, and the Chilli Biltong are high on my list. As an endurance rider, I appreciate having real, protein-rich food after long rides, so I'm excited to see which products become my go-to recovery snack, snack packs are super handy for me at the moment.

Some stats are worth mentioning...

Nationality: Dutch, Team: Independent Gravel & Ultra-Endurance Cyclist Key Results24 Hours Nürburgring – 2x Winner 2023 duo Road  , 4man team MTB 2009  The Munga (South Africa) – Finisher 13th 201636ONE Challenge (South Africa) – 2 x winner 2014 and 2015 UCI Gravel World Series – Vianden (Luxembourg) – 3rd Place 2026South Africa Gravel Race – Podium Finish (2 occasions 2026 Swartberg Ronde Van Swartberg and Filthy fondo gravel and many more 24hrs and 12hr , marathon races I would like to be described as a Dutch gravel and ultra-endurance cyclist with a passion for long-distance adventure racing. My focus is on gravel racing, 24-hour events, and ultra-distance challenges where endurance, resilience, and consistency matter most.

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