BIKE Transalp (AUT / ITA) - 7 stages
What a bold idea from Transalp pioneer and BIKE editor-in-chief Uli Stanciu back in early 1998: a race across the Alps. Non-stop, from Mittenwald to Riva on Lake Garda. 500 bikers wanted to take part, but Stanciu got cold feet. What if someone had an accident in the mountains at night? The adventure was quickly transformed into a professionally organised stage race - only the concept with the teams of two remained. The BIKE-Transalp was the template for the Cape Epic and many other classic stage races. But the race across the Alps remains the original. This year, seven fabulously beautiful stages will take you from Imst to Arco. More information on the 2023 anniversary edition at bike-transalp.de
- Condition 6 out of 6 points
- Driving technique 4 out of 6 points
4 Islands (HRV) - 4 stages
Marathon in the morning, holiday in the afternoon: the 4 Islands Croatia stage race is now part of the Epic Series and is the perfect symbiosis of relaxation and recreation. It combines island hopping and kilometre racing. Four days, four islands. Overnight stay on a hotel boat. And all this in the scenic splendour of the Kvarner Bay in northern Croatia, a five-hour drive from Munich. Some of the trails are tricky and only for experts. Team race! More information on the date for 2023 (18-22 April) at www.epic-series.com/4islands
- Condition 4 out of 6 points
- Driving technique 6 out of 6 points
Alpentour Trophy (AUT) - 4 stages
The practical thing is that all four stages start in Schladming. So you don't have to change hotels every day. The catch, or the marvellous thing, depending on how you look at it: Nasty lactate pain is pre-programmed. Schladming is embedded in the gigantic Alpine peaks of the Dachstein region. The stages are short but tough. The last stage is a pure mountain time trial. A beautiful but tough race. In 2023, the Alpentour Trophy will take place from 22-25 June: https://alpen-tour.at/
- Condition 5 out of 6 points
- Driving technique 4 out of 6 points
Beskidy MTB Trophy (POL) - 4 stages
The Beskids are a huge mountain range in the south of Poland that extends into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. A sparsely populated, wild area that is perfect for a stage race away from large built-up areas. The race is now not only popular with Poles, but also with bikers from Germany. Word has got around about the relaxed, informal atmosphere. Nice special feature of the Trophy: there are two different route lengths. Date 2023: 8-11 June. www.mtbtrophy.com
- Condition 5 out of 6 points
- Driving technique 3 out of 6 points
Swiss Epic (CH) - 5 stages
The backdrop for the first editions was unrivalled: start at the foot of the spectacular Aletsch Glacier, the longest snow tongue in the Alps. The finish is in Zermatt with a view of the Matterhorn, one of the most famous mountains in the world. In between, five stages with trail-orientated routes through the high alpine landscape of the Swiss flagship canton of Valais.
The Swiss Epic MTB stage race has now moved to Graubünden. The route is different every year, but always challenging and embedded in the high mountains. The only question is whether you have time to really enjoy the panorama with all the metres in altitude. The race is run in teams of two. www.epic-series.com/swissepic
- Condition 5 out of 6 points
- Driving technique 5 out of 6 points
More exotic MTB stage races:
Titan Desert in Morocco
600 km / 6000 hm / 6 days
From the barren giants of the Atlas Mountains to the blazing hot Sahara dunes: an adventure trip at the aerobic threshold for marathon mountain bikers. www.titandesert.com
Transpyr in Spain
770 km / 18000 hm / 7 days
Alongside the Alps, the Pyrenees are THE mountain monument of Europe. They may not boast quite as many superlatives as the Alps. Nevertheless, the wild mountains have almost more to offer adventure seekers. Sparse infrastructure, lonely valleys, demanding trails and unreliable weather pose particular challenges for bikers. But that is precisely what makes it so appealing. The Transpyr Gran Raid MTB crosses the Mediterranean to the Atlantic in seven days. Date: 11-17 June 2023, information at www.transpyr.com
MTB Trilogy in the Czech Republic
227 km / 7700 hm / 3 days
Afraid of tricky descents? Not keen on steep ramps? Then this three-day trail orgy through the mountains near Teplice nad Metuji is not for you. Otherwise, this MTB stage race in the Czech Republic is a real insider tip! There are also shorter distances and an enduro classification at the MTB Trilogy event in the Czech Republic. Date for the race calendar: 6-8 July 2023. www.mtbtrilogy.com
Sudety Challenge in Poland
approx. 310 km / 8000 hm / 5 days
The MTB stage race through the Sudetes is related to the Beskidy Trophy, the organiser is the same. It is characterised by a difficult route and first-class organisation. There is a classic route, which is longer and tougher, and a shorter adventure route every day. Date for 2023: 24-28 July 2023. www.mtbchallenge.com
Cape Pioneer in South Africa
496 km / 10700 hm / 7 days
The race is considered the little sister of the Cape Epic MTB stage race and takes place annually in September in South Africa. The landscape and organisation are on a par, the trails are even better. capepioneer.co.za
La Ruta in Costa Rica
260 km / 8800 hm / 3 days
The oldest MTB stage race in the world (first organised in 1993) crosses Costa Rica from the Pacific to the Atlantic - tropical jungle and high volcano included. Organised by Spartan since 2020. Next date for the legendary La Ruta MTB stage race: 25-27 May 2023. For the first time, La Ruta will start on the Caribbean coast and finish on the Pacific. Info under https://racelaruta.com/
Andalusia Bike Race in Spain
300 km / 10000 hm / 6 days
Andalusia in Spain is known for its steep mountains, so you should be prepared for a correspondingly heavy dose of lactate during the six stages of the Andalusia Bike Race. Next year's date: 27 February to 4 March 2023. www.andaluciabikerace.com
Cape Epic in South Africa
660 km / 13500 hm / 8 days
This year? Too late! To take part in what is probably the most famous stage race next year, you have to be quick with your registration, train a lot as a European in winter and have the necessary small change. Because with flights, starting place and pocket money, the Cape Epic start for amateur mountain bikers costs around 5000 euros per team. www.cape-epic.com
Masiv MTB Stage Race
250 km / 7000 hm / 4 days
The real star of this 4-day MTB race through the Czech Republic was the train. A special train was used to sleep, eat and commute between locations, travelling to four different regions in the west of the Czech Republic, where trail-heavy stages awaited. The atmosphere was informal and the entry fee was comparatively low. Unfortunately, the Masiv MTB Stage Race no longer exists!
