The 10th edition of the iconic 4Islands Epic will showcase four of Croatia’s Kvarner Islands in their spectacular spring glory, from 15 to 19 April 2025. Taking in 5 stages on Unije, Lošinj, Cres and Krk the mountain bike stage race blends the competitiveness of the Epic Series with the relaxation of an Adriatic escape, for 255 teams of amateurs and some of the world’s best elite racers.
On the 15th of April 2025, 4Islands Epic will get underway on Unije for the first time as it starts the celebration of a decade of challenging mountain bikers to conquer the rocks. The 5-day stage race has grown, in that time, from a unique stand-alone event to a Legend status race in the Epic Series’ global portfolio. It has also attracted an increasingly diverse international field; which this year sees riders from 41 nationalities represented, including one of the defending champions Nicola Taffarel, as well as the Queens of European Epic Series racing Monica Calderon and Tessa Kortekaas.
255 teams will line up to Race the Rocks from the 15th to the 19th of April 2025. Photo by Samir Ceric Kovacevic.
The METALLURGICA VENETA MTB PRO squad has shaken up their line-up for 2025 however, with Colombian Diego Alfonso Arias Cuervo partnering one half of the 2024 title-winning team, Taffarel. Massimo Rosa, the second half of last year’s winning combination, was a late withdrawal due to injury. Jacopo Billi will thus partner fellow Italian, Andrea Candeago, for METALLURGICA VENETA MTB PRO 2. The designated first team, of Arias Cuervo and Taffarel, will start with race number 1 on their boards and bibs. Unlike their primary rivals, METALLURGICA VENETA did not take part in the Absa Cape Epic, in South Africa in March. They could thus be fresher than the Singer KTM team, of Andreas Seewald and Jakob Hartmann, as well as Simon Schneller and Axel Roudil-Cortinat of Team Bulls. Buff Megamo’s Hans Becking makes his stage racing comeback after an extended pre-season alongside Wout Alleman, who had to pull out of the Pinnacle event of the Epic Series with a stomach bug ahead of Stage 6.
Further competition for Taffarel and Arias Cuervo should come from the Klimatiza Orbea combination of Sebastian Gesche and Roberto Bou Martin. Fellow Italians Lorenzo and Nicolas Samparisi, of KTM SPADA POWERED BY BRENTA BRAKES, will undoubtedly contest for a top 5 placing. As will 2024 5th placed outfit HEXATRI’s Pierre Billaud and Théo Dupras.
METALLURGICA VENETA MTB PRO go into the 10th edition as the defending champions. Photo by Krume Ivanovski.
In the UCI Women’s competition, Cannondale ISB Sport carry Absa Cape Epic stage winning momentum into the Adriatic. Calderon and Kortekaas won the final two stages in South Africa and are motivated to add the 4Islands Epic crown to their Epic Series haul, alongside their Andorra Epic and SPAR Swiss Epic titles. They will face competition from the Slovakian National Team’s Janka Keseg Stevkova and the national marathon champion Martina Krahulcova. Though their closest rivals could be their Cannondale ISB Sport squad-mates, Costanza Fasolis and Stefanie Walter, plus the last-minute entrants Bianca Haw and Vera Looser. The Safari Essence Infiniti Ensure outfit is made up of two women who beat Calderon and Kortekaas to Absa Cape Epic podium places, though it will be the resumption of the battle with Haw which will excite the Cannondale ISB Sport pairing in particular. Velo Kartell’s Claudia Krenn will bring a fashionista flair to the racing alongside Germany’s Nina Gunther, and while the pair are unlikely to challenge the very best UCI Women’s teams, they will be eager to see how they shape up against the full-time elite racers while balancing training with career commitments.
Monica Calderon and Tessa Kortekaas will be looking to add the 4Islands Epic to their impressive haul of Epic Series titles. Photo by Michael Chiaretta.
Beyond the elite races, the 510-rider strong field will get to experience the beauty of the Kvarner Islands, in spring, from their mountain bikes. While the most competitive teams race, head down and flat out, those with more time to appreciate the landscapes, architecture, and nature will be treated to spectacular vistas, scenes of rural idyll, and villages straight from tourist bureau brochures. The 270 kilometre route, which takes in 6 000 metres of climbing, includes natural trails, rocky dual tracks, coastal paths, and narrow island roads to challenge and thrill throughout.
“Sports and tourism are truly inseparable, and sports tourism has become one of the fastest-growing sectors in the travel industry,” Dr. Irena Peršić Živadinov, Director of the Kvarner Tourist Board, said, highlighting the importance of 4Islands Epic to the area. “Major sporting events like this play a crucial role in strengthening the image not only of our region but of the entire country. They also help increase the number of overnight stays outside the peak summer tourist season. This year, we proudly celebrate the tenth edition of this incredible race, further confirming our commitment to developing sports tourism in Kvarner. With its picturesque coastline, crystal-clear sea, and untouched nature, Kvarner provides the perfect setting for such events. We warmly welcome all participants to Kvarner, wish them success, and hope for a safe ride in this challenging race.”
A late change to the course, due to extreme weather, will see the racing confined to Lošinj, Cres and Krk, with the Prologue on Unije being moved to Lošinj. Photo by Dunja Dopsaj.
A decade of experience in staging the 4Islands Epic has allowed the organisers to not only grow the size of the field but also improve the rider offering. 2025 participants can expect world-class riding, superb hospitality, and smooth logistics – including transfers between islands and accommodation. “The fact that we are celebrating our tenth edition proves that we have succeeded in establishing this race as one of the world’s most renowned stage mountain bike races,” Tomislav Zobec stated, on behalf of the event.
“Every year, we see more participants from all over the world. What I find particularly important in today’s world is that we have created a sustainable project that benefits the local community,” Zobec, who hails from Croatia’s capital city Zagreb, continued. “Of course, we are honoured to welcome some of the biggest names in cycling, but we are equally proud that this race contributes to the democratization of elite sports, as it is one of the rare competitions where professionals and amateurs race together.”
The racing will take in sea side paths, forest dual tracks, and more… Photo by 4Islands Epic.
To follow the action from Croatia’s Kvarner Islands, from the 15th to the 19th of April, like the 4Islands Epic Facebook page, follow @4islandsmtb on Instagram or subscribe to the Epic Series YouTube Channel. For more information on the event, the 2025 route, and the start list for the 10th edition, visit www.epic-series.com/4islands.
The teams will be ferried between islands for each stage. Photo by Samir Ceric Kovacevic
