Absolute must-do: Trans Madeira: six days of enduro adventure on two islands

Trans Madeira has long since established itself as one of the most challenging enduro races in the world. However, the 2025 edition set new standards by organising the event over two islands for the first time. Instead of the usual five days, the participants now had to put their endurance and technical skills to the test over six days. A total of 35 special stages had to be mastered - a physical and mental challenge that mountain bike pros Brendan Fairclough and Andrew Neethling also took on. Equipped with their Scott Ransom Enduro bikes, they took on the rigours of the race with its varied terrain. From mist-shrouded forests and rugged volcanic rock formations to fast, flowing coastal descents - the Portuguese archipelago offered the riders an impressive backdrop and an enormous technical challenge at the same time.

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The "must do" race: once in a lifetime!

The strain of the six-day format was an extraordinary challenge even for experienced professionals like Fairclough and Neethling. Not only the physical effort of the daily stages, but also the mental component played a crucial role. "The sheer volume over six days is obviously tough - plus sleeping in a tent - but what surprised me was how physically demanding it is to ride so many special stages in one day. You really have to manage your energy, not just for the long liaison stages, but also for the demanding enduro stages that gradually add up," explained Brendan Fairclough. The combination of technically demanding special stages and energy-sapping transfer stages required well thought-out energy management. Added to this was the logistical challenge of sleeping in a tent for six days and keeping the equipment in optimum condition at all times. For the participants, this was not only a sporting feat, but also an organisational one.

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The ideal bike for everything

In a race like the Trans Madeira, choosing the right equipment is crucial. With the Scott Ransom, Fairclough and Neethling opted for an enduro bike that was designed for precisely such extreme demands. With 170 millimetres of travel, a geometry designed for downhill performance and high climbing ability, the Ransom offered the necessary versatility to meet the various challenges of the trail. "The Ransom is incredibly light for its capabilities. For Trans Madeira you need a versatile bike, which often forces compromises - but with the Ransom you don't have to sacrifice anything.

It does everything exceptionally well. Climbs like a dream and tackles rough terrain with ease. It also lasts for six strenuous days," said Andrew Neethling, praising the bike. The combination of lightweight construction and robustness proved to be the ideal prerequisite for tackling the 1,500 metre alpine climbs as well as maintaining the necessary control on the technically demanding, sometimes blind descents. Over the entire six-day race, the material had to withstand extreme loads - a challenge that the Ransom was up to, according to the two professionals.

Friendship as a recipe for success

What made the Trans Madeira special for Fairclough and Neethling was their shared experience as long-time friends. Although enduro is basically an individual sport, this race showed the value of a well-established partnership. The two professionals have known each other for years and have already competed in numerous races and adventures together. This experience now paid off, as they were able to support and motivate each other when their strength waned. "There's never a dull day with Brendan. We are often yin and yang. We've seen the world together, so it felt natural to take on a wild challenge like this. We know each other so well - we could tell when one of us was struggling and either push or throw in some humour to lighten the mood. There's no better guy to do that with," explained Andrew Neethling. This dynamic helped them get through the six gruelling days. They took it in turns to lead on the connecting stages and were able to give each other tips on technically demanding passages. In difficult moments, the right words at the right time provided the necessary motivation to keep going.

The fascination of Madeira

Madeira has become one of the most popular mountain bike destinations in Europe in recent years. The Portuguese archipelago offers a unique combination of breathtaking landscapes and technically challenging trails. The Trans Madeira utilises this diversity and takes participants across the island, allowing them to experience a wide variety of terrains and climate zones. From dense, mist-covered forests in the highlands to sun-drenched coastal sections, the route offers constantly changing impressions and challenges. The expansion of the race to a second island for the 2025 edition further enhanced this aspect and offered the riders additional scenic and technical variety. The combination of natural trails and routes specially designed for mountain biking makes Madeira an ideal venue for a race of this calibre. The technical passages demand the utmost concentration and skill, even from pros like Fairclough and Neethling.

The importance of endurance and recovery

A six-day enduro race like the Trans Madeira places special demands on the athletes' ability to recover. Unlike one-day events, it is not just pure performance that is decisive here, but above all the ability to recover sufficiently overnight in order to be able to deliver top performance the next day. Fairclough and Neethling therefore had to pay particular attention to their nutrition, hydration and sleep quality - despite the difficult conditions in the tent camp. Finding the right balance between exertion and recovery was a decisive factor for the successful completion of the race. There was also the mental component: maintaining maximum concentration for six days, especially on the technically demanding descents, required a high degree of mental strength. The experience of the two pros paid off here, as they knew when they could push themselves to their limits and when it was better to ride a little more conservatively to avoid crashes and associated injuries that could have ended the entire race.

Further information

Trans Madeira

• Format: Multi-day enduro mountain bike race
• Venue: Madeira, Portugal
• Duration 2025: 6 days (over two islands for the first time)
• Number of stages: 35 special stages
• Special feature: Varied terrain from cloud forests to coastal trails

Scott Ransom

• Category: Enduro mountain bike
• Suspension travel: 170 mm
• Special features: Lightweight construction combined with downhill performance
• Area of use: Technical trails and enduro races

Brendan Fairclough

• Nationality: Great Britain
• Disciplines: Downhill, Enduro, Freeride
• Known for his technical descents at the Red Bull Rampage and his style in the air, e.g. at Darkfest in South Africa

Andrew Neethling

• Nationality: South Africa
• Disciplines: Downhill, Enduro
• Career: Former World Cup rider, now commentator and content creator