Marathon mountain biking isn’t the sport you can always participate in a lot. The volume of training we must do to complete a race in an enjoyable state, and the travel, and recovery for an event takes a toll. But with so many great events on the calendar, it can be hard to pick and choose. Do you you revisit events you have raced before, and had a great time at – or try something new? It can be hard to gauge the quality of an event, but sometimes, when events are within a series, it can give reason to go to them. Typically they are all of a similar level for race organisation, trail selection and quality. For 2017, the MTB Alpine Cup joins four of the best marathon races in Europe.
Hero Südtirol Dolomites in Italy, MB race Culture Vélo in France, Grand Raid BCVS in Switzerland, Forestière Bulls Bikes in France: all 4 exceptional races have a common feature, the Alps.
“The idea is to promote our territory through 4 unique races. The participants will have the chance to ride surrounded by awesome landscapes such as the Mont-Blanc or the Dolomites” explained Stephane Picot, MB Race Culture Vélo president.
Grand Raid – the alps are a playground. Photo: Sportograf
UCI approval for the MTB Alpine Cup
Hero Südtirol Dolomites, MB race Culture Vélo, Grand Raid BCVS and Forestière BullsBikes are part of the UCI Marathon Series but MTB Alpine Cup does not aim to be another World Cup. It is rather a unique challenge that gathers the most beautiful mountain bike marathon races in Europe.
With more than 450km and 19500m of ascents, the challenge will push participants beyond their limits with only one dream: become the MTB Alpine Cup king.
An amazing route – the Sellaronda Hero
On each stage, leaders will fight to keep their crowns until the final race, the Forestière Bulls Bikes in France. A ranking (men and women) will be established based on points earned on each of the 4 races. A €18 000 prize purse will reward the overall MTB Marathon kings and queens.
Registration opens on Feb, 13th at 12pm on alpinecup.com
MTB ALPINE CUP 2017
[IT] HERO SÜDTIROL DOLOMITES I JUNE, 15th & 18th
[FR] MB RACE CULTURE VÉLO I JULY, 1st & 2nd
[SUI] GRAND RAID BCVS I AUGUST, 18th & 19th
[FR] LA FORESTIÈRE BULLS BIKES I SEPTEMBER 16th & 17th