2025 promises incredible mountain biking, comradery on the trails, exceptional hospitality off the bike, and world-class organisation all round in the Epic Series. Would-be teams are encouraged to plan their adventures now, by registering for next year’s 4Islands Epic and the Andorra Epic Pyrenees today, 30th July 2024.


In 2025 the Epic Series will present opportunities for adventure in South Africa, Switzerland, Andorra and Croatia. Each event in the five-race series has its own unique character and charm. Its own challenges and captivating reasons to ride. Teams can register to take on the contest presented by the island-hopping voyage of discovery which is the 4Islands Epic and the high-altitude quest to conquer the summits in the Andorra Epic Pyrenees. Entries to both events open today, 30th July 2024.

Epic Adventures

Epic adventures await in Croatia and Andorra in 2025. Photo by Krume Ivanovski.

Epic Adventures

Plan next year’s riding goals now by visiting www.epic-series.com. Or delve straight into the race details by clicking through to www.epic-series.com/4islands, to register for the 2025 4Islands Epic, which takes place from the 15th to the 19th of April. Would-be Andorra Epic Pyrenees competitors can find out more at www.epic-series.com/andorra and secure a spot on July 3 to 6 2025 race.

4Islands

Starting from the ferry is one of the many unique aspects of the 4Islands Epic. Photo by Vedran Metelko.

4Islands Epic: The Most Unique MTB Race

Conquer the Rocks
Race Dates: 15-19 April 2025
Location: Kvarner Islands, Croatia
Distance: ±280km
Climbing: ±6200m

Croatia

Croatian singletrack makes the 4Islands, epic. Photo by Dunja Dopsaj.

The Kvarner Islands, in the Adriatic, provide a challenge unique in mountain biking. Not only are they ancient, beautiful, and renowned as ideal holiday destinations; but the islands of Krk, Cres and Lošinj also offer exceptional riding. This year we will also have a new gem in our journey, a new island not yet revealed. The limestone rocks, which provide the building blocks for the dry pack stone walls and much of the historic architecture, create deceptively difficult routes. There are few easy rolling kilometres and smooth surfaces are reserved to sections of asphalt or bike paths.

Singletracks abound and demand absolute focus. Though there are dual tracks too, where riders can raise their eyes from the terrain ahead to appreciate the glorious views. Off the bike 4Islands Epic rewards like few other events. Teams can choose between staying in hotels or splitting their nights between hotels and a boat. The logistics of visiting four islands over the five days of racing means that even those residing ashore will embark on ferry transfers to the stage starts. These journeys provide the perfect opportunity to get to know one’s fellow riders, and even rub shoulders with the likes of Hans Becking, Jose Hermida, Georg Egger and Lukas Baum.

South African Juanita Mackenzie is one of a handful of riders who completed the Epic Series triple in the first half of 2024. Having raced the Absa Cape Epic in March, she took on 4Islands Epic in April and earned her Epic Legend status in Andorra in July. Mackenzie is thus uniquely positioned to provide insights into the character of each event.

“4Islands Epic is all about the adventure and the unique experience of island hopping by boat. Mountain bikers keeping it classy, it’s a thing,” she laughed. “The race takes place out of season, which is magic because it feels like you have every island to yourself and your biking mates. I mean is that not the definition of heaven?”

Juanita Mackenzie

Juanita Mackenzie in action on 4Islands Epic singletrack. Photo by Krume Ivanovski.

“The terrain is obviously rocky,” Mackenzie confessed. “It’s true, you have to conquer all the rocks and then some. It’s not just rocks though. The landscape is intriguingly diverse – moonscapes, turquoise oceans and lush forests. Each island has its own special treasures – from technical climbs to rocky descents, fairy forest trails, and the cutest hidden local bars as old as time.”

“Croatia does the best beer too. What a treat! It’s very quaint and feels other worldly at times. The Croatian people I found don’t like to say no – they’re so very hospitable. If you’re looking for a life changing experience involving your bike. This one is for you. The riding will excite and challenge you; the landscape and people will move you; and the after party is legendary. I will be back for sure!”

Andorra

Epic riding in Andorra. Photo by Oriol Batista.

Andorra Epic Pyrenees: Elevate Your Adventure

Conquer the Pyrenees
Race Dates: 3-6 July 2025
Location: La Massana, Andorra
Distance: ±200km
Climbing: ±6400m

Pyrenees

There’s a lot of climbing to be done in the Pyrenees. Photo by Gabri Amoros.

Europe’s sixth smallest state, Andorra likely boasts more trails per square kilometre than anywhere else in the world. Famed as a cycling destination, due in no small part to its popularity as a home-base for road professionals and its frequent inclusion in both the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España, it has grown in popularity with mountain bikers in the past two decades too. It would not be fair to limit the fun to the Mountain World Series cross-country and downhill stars, which is why the Epic Series introduced a stage race in the Pyrenean principality.

A mix of manicured bike park trails with natural paths in the high mountains provides a blend of fast and fun with testing and technical riding. Andorra Epic Pyrenees’ terroir is hardly limited to the terrain, the high elevations ensure the racing is tough. Each stage ascends to above 2000 metres above sea level meaning every finisher needs to find their flow in the thin alpine air. While climbing each pedal stroke takes riders into an increasingly rarefied atmosphere, but the reverse is true on the descents. Not only are they incredibly rewarding, but the drop in elevation has every rider breathing easier and smiling more broadly with every metre they lose.

Juanita Mackenzie

Juanita Mackenzie (left) earned her Epic Legend status after the 2024 Andorra Epic Pyrenees. Photo by Gabri Amoros.

“When you make your way up into the Pyrenees to Andorra you think it’s impossible for it to get any more beautiful,” Mackenzie began. “And then it does. These mountains take your breath away literally and figuratively. The Andorra Epic Pyrenees takes place in mid-summer and the place is showing off – rightly so. There is not a leaf out of place and it’s absolutely dreamy. You might feel the need to pinch yourself.”
“Andorra Epic Pyrenees is everything you want in a mountain bike race: a stunning location and incredible trails – from flowy and manicured to gnarly singletrack. It includes the famous Commencal trail and parts of the Word Cup course, as well as some very challenging magnificent mountain climbs obviously. Fortunately, each of those always come with a rewarding descent.”

“The race also featured the best food and accommodation I have experienced at any race,” Mackenzie praised. “I ate my body weight in pastries. Again, the people are wonderful and showcase Epic Series hospitality at its finest. If I could’ve stayed forever I would’ve.”

Ski lift

Ski lift transfers, from La Massana to Pal, help ensure the Andorra Epic features more descending than climbing. Photo by Gabri Amoros.

Register for 2025 Epic Series Events

Registration for entries to the 2025 4Islands Epic and Andorra Epic Pyrenees events open on 30 July 2024. Mountain bikers are encouraged to take up the Early Bird benefits, which expire on 1st August, after which Tier 1 pricing starts. For more information, please visit www.epic-series.com, or the individual race websites: www.epic-series.com/4islands and www.epic-series.com/andorra. Pricing information can be found for 4Islands Epic here, and here for Andorra Epic Pyrenees.

Epic Adventures

Epic adventures aren’t limited to on the bike at the Epic Series. Photo by Samir Ceric Kovacevic.