The UltraMarathon Cycling Association is very fortunate to have two experienced European ultra racers serving as the UMCA's liaison to European cyclists and event organizers! Fabio Biasiolo and Chris Hopkinson are both well respected and quite likeable ultra cyclists. We appreciate their willingness to help strengthen the UMCA's presence in Europe.

The responsibilities of Fabio and Chris are:

• To represent the UMCA in discussions with European event directors.
• To answer questions from cyclists and event organizers about the UMCA.
• To advise the UMCA program chairs and me on sanctioning events in Europe.
• To educate the program chairs and me about ultracycling in Europe.

Biasiolo chasing Enrico De Angeli in the 1001 Miglia in 2006

Chris Hopkinson elected to UMCA Board of Directors
Cat Berge resigned her position on the UMCA's Board of Directors in November 2006. Per the UMCA Bylaws the Board may elect an interim Director to fill that position until the next general election of Directors by members of the UMCA. The Board enthusiastically and unanimously elected Chris as a step toward increasing international representation on the Board.

Fabio Biasiolo, UMCA representative for southern Europe
Fabio finished third in the 2006 RAAM, his 10th RAAM. In 2005 RAAM honored him with the Ian Sandbach award, given to the most inspirational rider in RAAM. Fabio had three strong RAAMs with a third place finish (2000) and two fifth place finishes (1998-99). He then did not finish the next three years with medical issues. The Sandbach award was presented to honor his tenacious comeback.

Fabio started racing as a mountain biker and then triathlete in the early 1990s. In 1995 he finished third in the first Giro d'Italia in one stage 1,663 km — 1,040 mi non-stop in 75 hours.

Fabio is a gym activity instructor, he is married to Nicoletta and they have a son, Rocco.

Chris Hopkinson, UMCA representative for northern Europe

Chris Hopkinson in his pink skinsuit took second with 450 miles in the 2006 North American 24-Hour championship. Race director Joe Jamison congratulates the Hoppo.

In 2005 Chris finished solo RAAM, the first Brit ever to finish solo RAAM. After the 2004 Sebring 24-hour the headline was "Brit Blows Away Sebring" — Chris won with 431.8 miles, the first person to qualify for RAAM at Sebring. Like Fabio, Chris also made a great comeback. In 2001 he won the British Long Distance Best All-Rounder based on his 100 mile, 12-hour and 24-hour time trials. Two months later he shattered the head of his femur and was told he would never walk again.

In 2004 Chris "the Hoppo" set the Missouri west to east record on a Saturday and the next day set the east to west record. Later that season he set the Texas 24-Hour Time Trial record of 400.2 miles — each of these records still stands.

In 2006 the Hoppo achieved a lifetime goal of racing over 500 miles in a 24-hour race. Racing with his friends Marko Baloh & Juré Robic, the Hoppo covered 522 miles in the Kraftwerk drafting 24-hour event. Then in September he set a non-drafting personal best of 450 miles in the North American 24-Hour Championship.

Chris is a music teacher and is married to Helen McDermott.

International Liaison
In 1998 Reinhard Schroeder was appointed to represent the UMCA in Europe. Schroeder retired and early in 2006 I appointed Chris Hopkinson to represent the UMCA in northern Europe and Fabio Biasiolo to represent the UMCA in southern Europe.