Besting last year’s fastest time by twelve hours, Justinas Leveika took first place at The Accursed Race 2025, finishing the 1,600-kilometer route in just 5 days, 13 hours, and 45 minutes. Learn more about his impressive ride here…

Words by Lost Dot/Taylor Doyle, photos by Matt Grayson, Michael Drummond, Sam Dugon, and Tom Gibbs.

The Accursed Race is Lost Dot’s no-fly, fixed route, off-road race exploring the Balkans—the heartlands of the Transcontinental Race. It takes riders on a journey along the roof of the Balkans, exploring arduous terrain but spectacular, constantly evolving landscapes that transform over every summit. The 1,600-kilometre route starts in Shkodër, Albania, then takes in Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo before returning for the finishing stretch in Albania, and ending back in Shkodër. The course takes in a mix of rocky doubletrack, gravel roads, tarmac, a little singletrack, and minimal hike-a-bike.

justinas the accursed race 2025 winner
  • justinas the accursed race 2025 winner
  • justinas the accursed race 2025 winner
  • justinas the accursed race 2025 winner

The Accursed Race Quick Facts

  • No-fly: riders must travel overland to attend the Race
  • Fixed route: 1,600 kilometres with 37,000 metres elevation, with two staffed control points on route
  • Off-road: a mountain bike is our recommended choice, but a gravel bike may suffice
  • Location: Starting and finishing in Shkodër, Albania
  • Race start: 13th May 2025 9:00 CEST
  • Finish party: 23rd May 19:00 to 23:59 CEST
  • Finish cut-off: 23rd May 23:59 CEST
justinas the accursed race 2025 winner
  • justinas the accursed race 2025 winner
  • justinas the accursed race 2025 winner

Justinas Leveika (cap #02) took first place at The Accursed Race yesterday with a time of 5 days, 13 hours, and 45 minutes, with a performance as unrelenting as the Balkan terrain. Having led the race since the 25-kilometre mark, Justinas has spent five days and over 1,500 kilometres out front. In that time, he defended his leading position with an impenetrable resolve. With the extremely talented field behind him, he put forth an incredible race and true dot-watching spectacle.

  • justinas the accursed race 2025 winner
  • justinas the accursed race 2025 winner

After a collision with a vehicle on day three, Justinas was left with cuts, bruises, and a broken phone. Flying blind since then with no maps, no alarms, and no tracking, he came for adventure, and he found it. When tested, he responded with a resolute display: pushing harder and deeper than required to distance the field, yet still (almost) always displaying his trademark grin and good humour. A worthy and much-liked winner. Chapeau Justinas!

Head over to LostDot.cc for more information and updates from the race.

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