Fiona Kolbinger has become the first woman to win the Transcontinental Race, beating over 200 men in the event which covers nearly 2,500 miles of cycling.

The competition that travels through seven countries - starting in Bulgaria and finishing in France - was completed by the German in ten days, two hours and 48 minutes.

Incredibly, the 24-year-old cancer researcher was a remarkable 124 miles in front of Britain's Ben Davies in second place when she crossed the line.

Davies is yet to complete the course but is expected to finish as runner-up and the first male.

The first running of the race took place in 2013 from London to Istanbul and was won by Belgium's Kristof Allegaert.

In this year's race a total of 265 people took part, 40 women and 225 men.

After the race, Kolbinger was thrilled but did confess she could have gone even faster had she been a little stricter with her sleeping patterns.

She said: "I could have slept less. I am so, so surprised to win.

"When I was coming into the race I thought that maybe I could go for the women's podium, but I never thought I could win the whole race."