About

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 seven 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!

The race

Trans Madeira 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 third edition is scheduled from 22nd to 26th September. The fourth edition is set to happen from 1st to 5th June 2021 with registration opening on the 1st November, 10:00 (GMT). 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! The third edition event is limited to 140 racers!

We’re honoured to organize the third edition of Trans Madeira! In 2019 we welcomed 140 racers from 25 nations, selling out the event in just over 20 minutes.

Testimonials

"The best trail ever! I’ve never experienced the loam like this!"

Yoann Barelli (CAN)

"After being welcomed with that amazing set-up in Machico beach, the first day at the east side of the island was unforgettable! That feeling of going from a completely dry and super fun flowy trail to a technical and slippery on the second... it’s the true Trans Madeira experience!"

Andre Cachado (POR)

"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)

"The adventure day is a day that I’ll never forget. I’ve never hike-a-biked for such a long time or spent so much time on my bike but it was worth it! Trails were awesome and landscape was just perfect. 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, hard to believe it was the first ever edition looking at how good the event was! It was a beautiful experience to live, and a 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)

2019 results

Click here to open +

MEN
1	Emanuel Pombo	1:43:13h
2	Matt Lombardi	1:47:00h
3	André Bretas	1:47:27h
WOMEN
1	Noga Korem	2:06:11h
2	Nathalie Schneitter	2:13:49h
3	Julie Baird	2:20:34h
M30
1	Franck Kirscher	1:48:23h
2	Leo Kokkonen	1:49:09h
3	Anders Skarstein	1:49:41h
M40
1	Cri Maierhofer	1:54:09h
2	Antti Laiho	1:55:47h
3	Mark Wilcox	1:56:07h
Click here for final results

2018 results

Click here to open +

MEN
1	Emanuel Pombo	1:57:05h
2	Jerome Clementz	1:57:22h
3	Josh Bryceland	1:57:39h
WOMEN
1	Ines Thoma	2:14:16h
2	Mette Kronborg	2:37:41h
3	Eva Carrer	3:05:06h
M30
1	Daniel Prijkel	2:08:00h
2	Andreas Ziegler	2:10:37h
3	Noel Bolso	2:11:22h
M40
1	Cri Maierhofer	2:14:25h
2	Scott Stephenson	2:15:39h
3	Aidan Bishop	2:16:19h
Click here for final results

Trans Madeira Routine

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 or pedal to the top, four to seven special stages, finish the day with free beer and barbecue at sea level altitude (except for one day), check your results. Wash your bike, go for a swim, take a shower, have dinner, attend briefing and go back to sleep! Get offline for a couple days to reboot your body! Repeat everything for the next couple days!

+ QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (Q&A) + CLOSE

REGISTRATION

I want to race the event with a couple of friends. Is that possible?
Yes! During registration there’s a field on the second form where you can add the name of your friends. This will help us to assign you together. Keep in mind that each one of you needs to fill up a form individually when registration opens.
What’s the registration criteria?
Be fast to secure a spot! Simple. Registration opens on the 1st November, 10:00 (GMT)! We recommend you to read Registration Process and Terms and Conditions before moving forward with your registration.

CAMP AND LOGISTICS

What do i need to pack for the race?
It’s essential to bring a sleeping bag (average temperature June in Madeira is 21ºC), headlight, rain jacket, backpack, and multi-tool. We recommend you to bring specific parts for your bike and spares.
How much luggage should I bring?
One travel bag per person – ideally a large 23kg duffel bag!
Where are the bike camps located and what are the conditions?
There will be four different bike camps, three located at 0 meters altitude and one high in the mountains. You’ll have access to showers, power supply and basic camp conditions. Keep in mind that you’re not staying in a hotel and camping is part of the adventure and experience!
Where do we spend our last night?
After five days of camping you’ll arrive to the far West side of the island and sleep in a four stars hotel (included in your race fee) – Hotel Paul do Mar. Double and triple rooms available, which means that if you're racing with a friend you should stay together. If you're racing alone you'll be assigned with others racers! No individual rooms available for the last night. Hotel Paul do Mar.
Will I be able to charge my electronic devices?
We have a movable charging station available at camps where you’ll be able to charge your phones, cameras, gps, etc. Space is limited and we can’t guarantee a charging spot for you. We recommend you to bring a heavy-duty power bank so that you can charge your devices along the race week.
Will I have access to my bike box during the race?
No! You will only have access to your bike box on registration day (till 22:30h) and on the 6th June when you arrive to finish line.
What if I need to travel back to my country or need to access my bike box before the last night?
In this case you’ll need to make your own arrangements to get your bike box and move to the airport.
How many meals we have per day?
We have planned four meals per day, which includes breakfast, lunch, snack at camp and dinner. There are food zones along the course to keep your energy up!
I’m vegetarian or have food intolerance. Is there a meal plan for these situations?
Yes! Our kitchen staff will work their way to adapt to your needs. Although we’ll do our best to fit your dietary requirements, riders with specific food intolerances should make their own preparations in advance.

RACING

How many hours will I spend on the bike per day?
There are days that will be harder than others but expect between 4 to 8 hours on the bike each day. Anticipate hike-a-bike sections, a couple long pedalling and steep transitions, some long and technical descents. Take this race seriously as it will be a hard but rewarding journey!
Are e-bikes allowed on this race
No. You can’t race this event with an e-bike.
Can I skip a day of racing?
Yes. You can skip a day of racing but you won’t have race results for that day or total race time at the end of the five days.
How does timing work?
You’ll be assigned a timing chip from Sport Ident - included in your registration fee – using the same Enduro World Series system to time your special stages. If you loose your timing chip we’ll be able to assign you a new one but you’ll need to pay the lost timing chip.
Are there cut-off times?
For safety reasons we may have cut-off times on certain points of the route but there are no liaison times. Overall it’s a very relaxed race where you can ride along with your buddies and enjoy every bit!
What sort of weather should I expect?
Although is summer time in Madeira, which means it’s usually warm and sunny, be prepared for a bit of everything. Madeira is known to have four seasons in one day!
How physical and technical is this event?
You’ll be riding from 30km to 50km per day, which includes special stages and liaisons. You should have a good mountain biking background so that you can enjoy the riding and the adventure the best way possible! After you get your registration confirmed you have six months to get fit and ready.
Are there mechanics at camps?
Yes! We work with local bike shops and mechanics that can provide a wide range of services to make your experience better! Charges and fees not included.

TRAVEL

Which airport should I travel to?
Funchal Airport (FNC). We recommend you to make a reservation for your bike traveling as soon you book your flight.
What about timings for arrival and departure?
According to our experience we recommend you to arrive at least one day before registration day so that you can have an extra day to play with if there’s a situation of flight delays. Please avoid arriving on 1st June for 2020 edition! If you arrive on the 1st June, make sure it’s before 15:00h. For departure, we recommend your flight to be on the 7th June after 09:00h.

SAFETY

What’s the safety plan on course and camps?
We have a medical crew that pretty much follows the event, starting from breakfast and staying until dinner. This team of nurses and doctors can make evaluations during the race so that you feel safe in moving forward or giving up. If you need treatment they’ll follow up your case from one day to the other. For the past couple years and based in our experience in organizing Enduro World Series, we’ve been working closely with our civil protection entities on the island, which means that we get ambulances following up the event or in direct call. Rescue teams are aware of the event and ready to jump on in any situation. On trails we have our staff that makes the connection with our race director that then coordinates all safety procedures with the official entities on the island and with our own medical team.
What about personal accident insurance?
We do not provide personal accident insurance for this event. We highly recommend you to have at least an insurance that covers 10.000€ of medical expenses and transportation.
What if I need to get to the hospital, how do I get back to camp?
Our safety crew will activate a rescue plan to transport you to the hospital where you will be asked for your personal accident insurance and ID. After your hospital visit, if you plan to come back to follow the event or race, you’re responsible for that transportation to camp. We’ll provide you with exact location for each night.
What if I get hurt during the race but don’t mind staying in Madeira till last night?
If you get hurt and decide to step out of the race we’ll transport you, your bike and baggage to the next bike camp until the last one. We’ll do our best to adapt to your needs and make sure you have a good time.

Have any other questions? Send us an email!
[email protected]

What to expect

An average of 2800m descent and 1400m 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 arrive. As bike holidays experts we will offer you an experience of Madeira like no other, making this an adventure to remember!

SIX NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION

Five nights tent and one night in a four stars hotel

FOUR MEALS PER DAY

Breakfast, lunch, light barbecue after race and dinner

AIRPORT TRANSFERS

Arrival and departure from FNC Airport

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

A medic team following the race and bike camps

MEDIA CONTENT

Access to photos produced during the event

ALL LOGISTICS

Baggage, bike box transportation and shuttles

EVENT SWAG

Gifts from our sponsors and from the event

PRO TIMING

Timing chip and end of the day results available

And more!

Custom number plate
Free espresso coffee
Wifi on certain locations
Access to Food Zones on each race day
Professional course marking
Access to professional sports massage
Free local and traditional drinks (on certain days!)
Access to bike wash facilities
Access to professional mechanic at bike camps
Chill zone with music at the end of each race day
Access to results on location and online
Directly contributing to our year round trail building +info
Two beers per day – after downloading timing chip!
Access to charging area
Friendly staff at camps and trails making sure you have a super experience!
A mega adventure that will re-define everything you know about mountain biking!

Click here to see what’s included in detail

ACCOMMODATION: From 1st to 6th of June you’ll be sleeping on the event Bike Camps, which means you’ll be staying on an individual tent, big enough to fit two persons. You’ll also have a pillow and a sleeping mat. All you have to bring is your sleeping bag. From 6th to 7th of June 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 or 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 1st June. If you can only arrive on the 1st June, 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 1st of June your transfer will be directly to first bike camp (Machico).
If you decide to arrive earlier than 1st of June you'll need to book your accommodation and extra transfers until 1st June. We recommend you to stay in Funchal - main city. We offer three different pick-up locations and you should book your accommodation near it – walking distance. Check the links below:

Location A: Duas Torres
Location B: Freeride Madeira Shop
Location C: Madeira Cable Car

For departures, you should schedule flights for the 7th of June – we recommend departure to be after 09:00h – no problem if it’s before this timing. If you decide to leave after that date we’ll transport you to one of the locations above. After that you'll have to book your own accommodation and airport transfers.
NOTE: extra transfers should be booked directly with Freeride Madeira – [email protected]

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 feed 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 etc. This area got super good feedback for the past couple years!

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: 1st June to 6th June. Night included in the normal package: 6th to 7th June. Breakfast and dinner will always be at bike camp. Only 8 slots available. More details via email.

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.

Registrations

If you want to join our waiting or subscribers list or get more news about next editions, please fill the form below. We'll register your email. Hope you can join us for a ride in the near future!

Waiting List / Subscribe Registration information