The European marathon scene is now winding down after another big year for the sport, never before has there been so many stage races and marathons to choose from. This weekend marks the end of the season for many with many thousands of competitors making their way to the French Riviera for the Roc d’Azur […]
Racing in Paradise – Azores UCI MTB Marathon
This past weekend the cycling circus flew to the middle of the North Atlantic Sea for the Azores MTB Marathon, a round of the UCI World Marathon Series. The Azores are a group of 9 volcanic islands with the racing taking place on Sao Miguel which is the largest and most populated island. The geography […]
Belgian Mountain Bike Challenge 2016 – Magic In The Ardennes
Related Event: Belgian Mountain Bike Challenge
The Belgium Mountain Bike Challenge might only be 3 days but it’s impossible not to get wrapped up in it. Eat, race, eat, sleep, repeat. The post race depression quickly kicks in as reality strikes. No sooner had we finished the final 6 hour stage we were on the road driving the 8 hours back […]
Belgian MTB Challenge “the hardest mountain bike tour in the Benelux”
Related Event: Belgian Mountain Bike Challenge
Tomorrow the fifth edition of the Belgian Mountain Bike Challenge, in short the BeMC, will kick off in La Roche-en-Ardenne. During three days and 260 km covering 7800 meters of climbing over 500 participants from almost 20 different countries will fight for the final victory. I’m currently sat in our accommodation with 2 nervous Brits, […]
Leonardo Paez and Annabella Stropparo win 2016 Volcat Stage Race
Related Event: Volcat GP
After 3 days of racing across the Easter weekend a total of 524 cyclists completed the Volcat GP, a UCI category 2 event. Sadly I was amongst the none finishers having picked up the bug on stage 2 which left me too ill to race stage 3. The 2 days I did experience though were […]
Volcat GP to see 700 participants take to Catalan Hills this Easter
Related Event: Volcat GP
This Easter weekend, 25 – 27 March, the Spanish Catalan Hills will host the 3 day UCI category 2 Volcat GP. This year the town of Igualada will host all 3 stages making it logistically easier for participants. Whilst the Elite race competes for UCI points as individuals the open race is run as a […]
Algarve Bike Challenge 2016
Related Event: Algarve Bike Challenge
This past weekend the UCI category 2 Algarve Bike Challenge took place. The event is a marathon stage race taking place over 3 days. You can read my preview for the event here https://marathonmtbcom.wpengine.com/2016/03/03/algarve-bike-challenge-preview-and-stage-race-catch-up/ The event was a pair’s race so I teamed up with Austrian Uwe Hochenwarter who rides for the Craft Rocky Mountain […]
Algarve Bike Challenge Preview and Stage Race Catch Up
Related Event: Algarve Bike Challenge
This weekend Algarve Bike Challenge takes place, the event is a UCI category 2 marathon stage race taking place over 3 days. It’s the 4th year the event has taken place and I thought it was about time I checked it out. It will be my first visit to southern Portugal, the Algarve is known […]
Costa Blanca Bike Race Stage 4
Related Event: Costa Blanca Bike Race
Stage 4, the finale of Costa Blanca Bike Race 2016, a 7km timetrial. The route looked simple enough on paper but there was a great big dirty 300 meter ascent in the last 2km’s. There was talk of there being sections of 30 or 40 percent gradient, not possible we thought! On arriving to the […]
Costa Blanca Bike Race stage 3 – The queen stage
Costa Blanca Bike Race stage 3, the queen stage. The stats of 78km’s and 2776 meters of ascent don’t tell the story. Forget easy fireroad alpine miles, this was as rough as you’ve ever seen. I’ve seen downhill World Cups on easier trails. I never thought I’d ride more technical trails that Beskidy Trophy until […]