Mountain biking is the ultimate way to get to new locations, explore new trails and to experience life on a different pace. For the past ten years, Madeira, a Portuguese Island located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean has been carving its way to become one of the best mountain bike destinations in the planet! Big mountains, beautiful landscapes, delicious food, warm weather all year round and over 600 years of history and culture makes Madeira the ultimate adventure and a reason to be on your bucket list for the years to come! Combine all of this with some of the most challenging and unique mountain bike trails and you got yourself a race and a ride to remember.
Going back in time, we’ve been organizing enduro races for the past eight years on the island and we organize mountain bike holidays all year round. We’ve worked with some of the most charismatic riders, filmmakers and photographers in the industry, which has helped us to put a much deserved quality stamp on how good is to ride in Madeira, helping us to share our passion, trails and costumes with riders from all around the World!
Trans Madeira powered by Cannondale combines the best things the island has to offer with five days of racing in the World’s most diverse terrain, exploring all four corners of the island, starting high in the mountains and finishing down at the ocean. The fourth edition are set to happen from 1st to 5th June 2021, known as Summer Edition and we’re proud to announce an extra edition taking place from 21st to 25th September 2021, known as Autumn Edition! Get ready for 220km of riding, over 25 special stages, exploring North, South, East and West in one mega week! Expect to ride different kinds of terrain from stage to stage, explore some of the most iconic singletracks on the island in a bike camp adventure style race, stress-free!
"Such an amazing adventure exploring and racing Madeira. In my opinion one of the best mountain bike races I have ever done. Great atmosphere and amazing tracks! This island has it all, from world class downhill tracks, flowy single track and alpine grass flat out super fast sections to enjoy. In my opinion it does offer the best all round riding in the world!"
Brendan Fairclough (GBR)
"The best trail ever! I’ve never experienced the loam like this!"
Yoann Barelli (CAN)
"On day four we rode again another type of terrain: wet jungle in the morning and fast and flowy in the afternoon! All what a mountain biker needs to be happy!"
Ludo May (SUI)
"We saw everything from dry and dusty to greasy and rowdy, to high speed amongst the clouds. One thing for sure, mundane would be nowhere to be found. Top it off with a swim in the ocean with your new riding buddies and you’ve got an ace day!"
Noel Bolso (CAN)
"I didn’t know what to expect but after a week of wild, rocky, wet, dusty racing in Madeira I wasn’t disappointed! Organization behind the race worked so well that it was hard to understand that it was the first edition of the race! This was my first time in Madeira but definitely not my last"
Mette Kronborg (DNK)
"The organization was seamless and I think that everyone felt your enthusiasm you share for the island, the trails and mountain biking!"
Andreas Rothlisberger (SUI)
"I can´t stop telling you what a great show you did the last week. It was amazing! For sure one oft he best memorys in my life!"
Stephan Koch (GER)
"Thank you guys for this incredible experience! It was a blast and simply unforgettable!"
Julian Eitner (SUI)
"Crazy days in Madeira! Rad trails, epic transitions and tired body but all worth it for one of the best days out on the bike"
Steve Peat (GBR)
"Racing Trans Madeira makes me feel like a tourist in the island where I was born. Magic and brutal at same time!"
Emanuel Pombo (POR)
"There was such a good mixture of tracks, from wet to dusty, physical to technical! You can go all out!"
Daniel Prijkel (NED)
"Trans Madeira was an absolute blast! It was a beautiful experience to live, and an amazing way to discover this wonderful island. You guys really are such friendly, happy and genuine people! Portugal and Madeira can be very proud of you, we are all leaving with a bunch of rad memories and with a big smile on our faces!"
Yoann Barelli (CAN)
You will be riding in four different locations and racing in different kinds of terrain every single day! Adapt quickly or simply forget that perfect tire pressure, it doesn’t exist! For a typical Trans Madeira day, you can expect this kind of routine: wake up, reinforced breakfast, shuttle to the top, four to seven special stages, finish the day with free beer and snack at sea level altitude, check your results. Wash your bike, go for a swim, take a shower, chill, dinner, and attend briefing, sleep! The adventure of racing in Madeira will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions, new friendships and moments that last a lifetime.
Have any other questions? Send us an email!
[email protected]
An average of 2800m descent and 900m ascent per day, between 4 to 7 special stages per day. There will be some days with shuttle assistance so that you can cover much more trails and enjoy the riding. You’ll race over 25 special stages in some of the most iconic locations of Madeira and share those trails with some of the fastest racers on the planet! Madeira is known to have the World’s most diverse terrain, which will make you feel you’re riding on a different country on every special stage!
There’s only one race package available to 140 riders that includes everything from the moment you land on the island. We pretty much take care of you for one week! As bike holidays experts we will offer you an experience of Madeira like no other, making this an adventure to remember!
Five nights tent and one night in a four stars hotel
Breakfast, lunch, light barbecue after race and dinner
Arrival and departure from FNC Airport
A medic team following the race and bike camps
Access to photos produced during the event
Baggage, bike box transportation and shuttles
Gifts from our sponsors and from the event
Timing chip and end of the day results available
ACCOMMODATION: From 31st of May to 5th of June (SE) / 20th of September to 25th September (AE) you’ll be sleeping on the event bike camps, which means you’ll be staying on an individual tent. You’ll also have a pillow and a sleeping mat. All you have to bring is your sleeping bag. From 5th to 6th of June (SE) / 25th to 26th September (AE) you’ll be sleeping on a four stars hotel located on the West side of Madeira – double and triple rooms. If you’re racing with a friend, husband, wife or family member we’ll make arrangements to make sure you stay together. If you’re racing alone we’ll assign rooms with other fellow racers. No individual rooms available.
FOOD: Four meals included in your race package. There will be breakfast every day before race start that includes porridge (nuts, honey, raisins, milk, etc.), fresh fruit variety (bananas, oranges, apples), variety of bread (cheese, ham, jam, etc.). Lunch is usually served at food zones. Once you arrive back to camp, there’s barbecue or pasta so that you can refuel before dinner. Last, but not least, dinner – where you can have a taste of what Madeira is all about!
AIRPORT TRANSFERS AND PICK-UPS: We recommend you to arrive to Funchal Airport (FNC) before 31st of May (SE) or before 20th September (AE). If you can only arrive on the 31st of May (SE) or 20th September (AE), plan to land before 15:00h in order to have time to get your bike ready, register, find your tent, attend briefing, have dinner and relax! If you arrive on the 31st of May (SE) or 20th September (AE) your transfer will be directly to first bike camp in Machico.
If you decide to arrive earlier than 31st of May (SE) or 20th September (AE) you'll need to book your accommodation and extra transfers. We recommend you to stay in Funchal - main city – or in Machico – where the race starts. We offer three different pick-up locations in Funchal and you should book your accommodation near it – walking distance. Check the links below:
LOGISTICS: Your bag will be transported to each new Bike Camp area. You will only have access to your bike bag / bike box on the first day and on the last day. Make sure you have everything you need for the race with you!
FOOD ZONES: During race days, there will be one or two food zones where you can re-fuel energy for the rest of the adventure. Fresh water, nuts, fruit, honey cake, gums, juices, peanuts, chips, cookies, bread and regional products!
MECHANICS: There will be a professional mechanic on Bike Camp for a couple hours per day and there will be spare parts available for purchase. There’s a service fee if you want to use their services.
CHARGING AREA: You’ll be able to charge your phone, cameras and gadgets on specific locations. Bring all your cables! We’ll do our best to make sure you have enough energy!
HOTEL UPGRADE: Don’t want to sleep on a tent during race week? We have a limited upgrade that includes 3 to 5 star hotel accommodation for each night and a dedicated transfer service. Nights included in the upgrade: 31st of May to 5th of June (SE) or 20th of September to 25th of September (AE). Night included in the normal package: 5th to 6th of June (SE) and 25th to 26th September (AE). Only 8 slots available. More details via email. Price: 1350€
TENT UPGRADE: Get extra space for your race week! Instead of staying on a two-person tent, get a three-person tent. Only 10 slots available. More details via email. Price: 260€
EXTRA JERSEY: You’ll get a free Trans Madeira jersey on registration day but you can add one more in advance – unlimited slots but this is only available on this form – 40€
Registrations are now open!
Join us from 1st to 5th June in our Summer Edition or from 21st to 25th September in our Autumn Edition. If you plan to come over in 2022 subscribe to our mailing list.
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