Unsupported ultra-racing is built on simple rules and a fragile foundation: trust.
Trust that every rider is facing the same route, the same limits, and the same responsibility to solve problems alone. During the 2026 Trans Balkan Race, that trust was tested.
When we first started filming at the beginning of the year, the idea was to document the Trans Balkan through our eyes: what it means to direct an unsupported race from the inside, to follow riders across the Balkans, and to carry the pressure of making decisions in real time.
But as the race unfolded, the events on the route took center stage. We found ourselves dealing with something we had not planned to film, and with questions that reached one of the most sensitive foundations of unsupported racing.
CONNECTING DOTS reconstructs what happened on the route from the perspective of race direction: the doubts that emerged, the actions we took, and the responsibility we had to carry as the situation developed.
This is not the documentary we first imagined when we started filming, but it’s the story we ended up with.
You won’t find judgment in this film. Only what happened, how we experienced it, and what it means to carry the responsibility of a race when decisions have to be made before all the answers are clear.
Everyone is free to draw their own conclusions.
Directed by Beatrice Mezzena Lona & Luca Petrinka
Produced by Exploro.cc / https://instagram.com/exploro.cc/
Filmed and edited by Nicolò Blasi https://www.instagram.com/___.nik._/
Subject: Trans Balkan Race 2026 https://www.instagram.com/transbalkanrace/
48 Comments
That’s why I only go bikepacking for myself. There’s really no reason for so-called unsupported bike races. Humans are ego driven beings. So do not wonder, when they are cheating, even for nothing.
Aside from the drama, I just wanted to congratulate the videography and edit – really, really good vid from start to finish. The Durmitor views are as good as in real life.
Thank you for this documentary and I'm so sorry you had to change the format from classic and amazing aftermovie to this because someone betrayed your trust. Like many have written before I'm ashamed those idiots are from Poland.
As a Pole, as a cyclist, I felt ashamed of this induvidual, I'm very sorry that you had to spend time tracking him instead of helping others. I hope that you will not judge all Poles just by this one. Amazing movie and amazing race.
epico!
Akcja jak w "Zdradach" na TVN 😜. A tak poważnie to średnio mnie interesuje ultra kolarstwo – mimo że jeżdzę dużo na rowerze, nic a nic nie imponuje mi pokonywanie takich odległości, spanie kilkadziesiąt minut na dobę itp. ale doskonale rozumiem oburzenie środowiska. Gość z premedytacją łamał zasady, i nie po ty przejechać tylko żeby wygrać. Tak to jest jak sodówka uderzy za mocno, zero pokory i szczyt arogancji. Pozdrowienia dla @wagabundowy, który dojechał i kolejny raz mi pokazał dlaczego to mnie nie interesuje i nie jest dla mnie 🤣
Bezwzględny zakaz startu ponownie w tym wyścigu! ba! Chyba we wszystkich również w Polsce.
Wielki wzór okazał się zwykłym kombinatorem i oszustem……
Years of building this facade of humble amateur who breaks all the records and wins all races in poland crumbled with a "stupid" face look…. I feel such a shame for folowing this guy and cheering for him past years… Nothing can defend this, he bring such a disgrace for poland
No i zostalo mu juz tylko dojezdzanie na rowerze do pracy.
Oh, so you were a paparazzi? Interesting, are you proud? This movie is a story of growing suspicion and frustration of the organisers (I can understand that) but no actual proof of anything substantial. Can you provide the proof of the extent of the alleged cheating? You showed so much disrespect to the visibly exhausted participant who can't even defend himself in English. Can you actually prove the statement he made on his facebook soon after the DSQ was false?
PERFEKT…nothing else to say…Thank You
Wow. This was an exciting watch. Cheating at a self supported race this blatantly is crazy.
Awesome job guys! Perfect race organisation and an epic film!
What a shame! I’m sorry that instead of cheering on and looking after the competitors on the course, you had to keep an eye on Radek.
Congratulations, though, on a wonderful event. And thank you for capturing it in such a great video. Also, thank you for the photos—they’ve inspired me to visit these beautiful places.
It’s not my level to compete, but it’s very inspiring. Thank you! Best from Poland!
Hahaha Radek nasz bohater minka mówi wszystko! Nie raz mu się udawało ściemniać! Oby już nikt mu nigdy nie pozwolił wystartować w zawodach!
ultracycling is generaly niche in Poland and other countries but this guy is famous now and he unfortunatelly helped to promote fair unsupported ultracycling. Well done Bra&Luca 🤌🤌
I almost forget!!! I would like to invite everybody for very new Polish Ultra Race called "IT'S OKAY 2027" 🤣🤣🤣
Może podczas dojazdów rowerem do pracy też oszukiwał 🙂 no to mamy iskrę która wyszła z Polski. Następna edycja wyścigu powinna mieć formułę "what the fuck" aby na trasie wozy supportowe mogly też sie ścigać.
The speaker was a girl or man?
Thank you for sharing this material. I am from Poland and would like to say sorry to all other riders for Radoslaw Gołębiewski’s behaviour. What he did is not acceptable by the Polish ultra community. No one question your decision and I am sorry that you had to share all of this embarrassing details …
Radek!
32:52
Twoja mina mówi wszystko!
Jak mogłeś 😢.
Nic mi do tego ale mam nadzieję że WSZYSCY organizatorzy maratonów rowerowych w Polsce obejrzą ten film i wyciągną wnioski.
Tak się kolego nie robi 🤷.
Może i jesteś świetnym człowiekiem ale niestety nie świetnym zawodnikiem.
Nie pozdrawiam cię.
P.S. czytałem twoje oświadczenie (z instagrama czy fb czy gdzie ty je zamieściłeś) , pięknie żeś spłycił i umniejszył całą historię/wydarzenie.
Tak się chłopie NIE robi.
Ile ty masz lat, 5? Żeby takie rzeczy robić
I proszę cię,nigdy nie wspomnij nawet że się "dałeś namówić sponsorom".
Tylko Ty sam jesteś za ten smród odpowiedzialny.
Ech😏.
The is the end of the career. Fake career.
They thauht, that they are smarter than rest😂😂
hahahaha. i rather lose the race and give up with dignity than to win with immorality!!!!!
Production quality 👌🏻
Good job! Fuck cheaters!
Greetings from Poland!
Thanks for clearing things up with the video. You did an important job for other future unsupported ultra races – I hope this will never repeat. Don't worry about people defending this cheater – your actions were not too harsh. I still remember the coca cola story of TCR with Christoph Strasser and Uba, they were not cheating and just sharing a coke – still had to proof there was not an assistance involved and both were ok with how serious this was handled by the race organizers. (Sitzfleisch Podcasts). Indeed these guys want to race under fair conditions and if you're racing at the top level there should be no margin for support! (Even though IMO the coke story was a bit too serious by the organizers – nothing compared to your actions!). I'm sorry this happened and took so much of your energy – hard to stay calm as well.
Polska gurom
To facet wszedł do historii kolarstwa ultra…
"For some reason he is not hungry in this moment. He is not thirsty either."
:-)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Ogląda się jak kino akcji…Brawo, Radek!
Dzisiaj na przejażdżce mijałem się z dostawczakiem Mobilny Sklep
-What the fuck is it?
– Oh, it`s OK.
Ciekawe, który to wymyślił…Przeprostacki pomysł z wyłączaniem trackera.
Podejrzewam, że film ma szansę na jakąś nagrodę w dziedzinie dokumentu. Może na Kolosa jako Wyczyn roku…
I'm ashamed as a Pole, I'm sorry for Radek
Not the documentary I expected and I’m so glad you persevered and exposed the cheat. I can’t believe someone had the thought and planning to do such a thing.
On the one hand a lot of beautiful views, amazing nature, great adventure. On the other hand 2/3 of film is about analizing if one of participant is not cheating. What I can see is that you have one proof of guit which is that he resupply from his team and was chatting and resting in the van which is a defininitive well deserved DSQ. But to be honest there is no any proof other than this. Only suspicions if he had sleeping support, technical support – no evidence for that. And the way orgs behave when cought him was I would say not professional. I think not worht to spend 2/3 of the film on that issue. It is a really nice race anyway.
Jeździłem kiedyś w szosowych maratonach rowerowych i wiele widziałem, ale to co pokazaliście przebiło tamte wydarzenia. Przykro mi, że musieliście jeździć za zawodnikiem, zamiast bawić się tym wydarzeniem. Bardzo dobry film, szkoda że tematyka mało wesoła. Pozdrawiam.
So where Golebiewski was sleeping all the time? In the VAN? Nice movie tho. What happened to the first guy who had stomach problem? Did he finish the TBR?
well done guys!
Wstyd.
Ja jestem w szoku. Gość kłamie nawet w podcaście, że usiadł w busie dopiero na mecie. W filmie nawet to widać, że tak nie było.
As I understand it, Radek and the guy in the black van were making their own movie from that race. Unfortunately, at some stage it went beyond that. Many people in Poland are asking Radek for an interview and I hope it will eventually happen. It also underlines that this sport needs a governing body.
Finally someone punished this chronic cheater. Great job. In Poland, organizers of ultra races, don't give a sh*t.
As for someone born in Poland, this was painful to watch…. Great movie and a great race though! I know a few participants and they've only had great things to say about the organisation!
Great documentary with superb visuals, sound, and editing ♥️
Cheating is cheating and it's a shame to lie like that. Good to see he faced the consequences
As a Pole, I would like to apologize for the behavior of a fellow countryman, but at the same time thank you for "connecting the dots" and drawing attention to the issue of "outside assistance" during ultra events. It is becoming quite a problem in Poland…
BTW
Beautifully put-together film, great shots.