Trans Madeira (MTB) 2025

Trans Madeira 2025 delivers two week‑long enduro stage races across the Madeira archipelago, mixing raw adventure with pro‑level organization: Summer Edition runs May 19–24, 2025, and Autumn Edition runs September 22–27, 2025. Both editions span Madeira and Porto Santo with 30+ timed special stages, roughly 250 km of riding, and an average daily profile near 3,200 m descent and 1,250 m ascent, all wrapped in a fully supported bike‑camp experience for a capped field of around 140 riders per edition. The official race site confirms dates, format, and the all‑inclusive package, while Madeira’s event calendar lists the same windows and the east‑to‑west island traverse from Machico to Calheta that defines the week’s progression.

Dates, format, and location

• Editions and dates: Summer — May 19–24, 2025; Autumn — September 22–27, 2025.
• Islands and route: Point‑to‑point and looped stages across Madeira and Porto Santo, racing in all four quadrants of the archipelago over six days, typically progressing east to west from Machico to Calheta.
• Field and style: Enduro format with chip timing over 30+ special stages; open to adult riders with a strict cap of about 140 racers per edition for logistics and trail impact.

What to expect on the bike

• Terrain diversity: Riders tackle laurel forest loam, alpine‑style ridgelines, rocky volcanic benches, root webs, and seaside cliff zones — often feeling like different countries between stages as microclimates flip within hours.
• Daily load: Averages around 3,200 m downhill and 1,250 m uphill per day, split across 4–7 stages; some days include extra shuttle assistance to unlock bigger trail networks without excessive liaison fatigue.
• Total challenge: Plan for 220–250 km of total distance and more than 30 specials across the week, with stage variety that pushes fitness, bike setup, and line choice in equal measure.

The package and what’s included

Trans Madeira’s “one race package” simplifies the entire week from arrival to departure:

• Accommodation: Five nights in individual tents at rotating bike camps plus two hotel nights on Porto Santo during the inter‑island segment.
• Transfers and logistics: Airport pickups, baggage and bike box handling, internal shuttles, and ferry crossings to and from Porto Santo are included, so the focus stays on riding.
• Food and care: Daily breakfast, on‑course food zones, post‑ride snacks, and full dinners, with a roaming medical team shadowing the race and camps.
• Race services: Timing chip, daily results, pro photo access, rider jersey, swag, and structured camp operations that keep days flowing smoothly.
• Price: €2,250 per rider for the 2025 editions, with optional add‑ons like trip‑cancellation insurance (€200), tent upgrades, and extra apparel or souvenirs offered during registration.

Registration and caps

• How to enter: Registration opens via the official site with a simple multi‑step form and first‑come, first‑served acceptance; payment confirmation secures a slot within the 140‑rider limit per edition.
• Refund and insurance: The organizer offers an optional trip‑cancellation insurance (€200) that enables tiered partial refunds based on how far out the cancellation occurs; riders without this insurance are not eligible for refunds under those conditions.
• Demand note: Slots typically move fast due to the all‑inclusive format and reputation. Plan to commit early if the Autumn or Summer window aligns with travel goals.

Why 2025 is a standout year

• Two‑island scope: Porto Santo is fully integrated in 2025, adding new terrain and hotel nights to the classic Madeira canvas and extending total riding to roughly 250 km and 30+ specials across the week.
• Confirmed logistics windows: Madeira’s official events calendar lists Trans Madeira on Sept 22–27 with an east‑to‑west arc, aligning public planning with the organizer’s published schedule, which helps riders lock flights and stays with confidence.
• Global attention: Bike media and event guides amplified the dual 2025 dates and the two‑island promise, drawing even more international riders to compete and explore beyond a single‑island template.

Bike setup and prep tips

• Tires and casing: Bring aggressive enduro rubber with durable casings; volcanic rock gardens and long stages reward puncture resistance and sidewall support.
• Gearing and brakes: A wide‑range drivetrain and four‑piston brakes with big rotors are standard for the week’s elevation; pack spare brake pads and a fresh drivetrain at minimum.
• Spares and maintenance: Carry a robust spares kit in checked baggage — derailleur, hanger, tires, sealant, pads, chain, shock hardware — and consider a quick‑link and tire plugs on‑person for each special.
• Fitness and skills: Train for repeated long, technical descents with crisp intensity recovery; practice stage‑length efforts and technical liaisons to maintain focus late in the day.

Travel planning

• When to fly:
• Summer Edition: Arrive a day or two ahead of May 19 for bike build and acclimation on Madeira’s high roads.
• Autumn Edition: Plan arrival ahead of Sept 22; the race week aligns with shoulder‑season travel and the back half of Madeira’s harvest festivals, which can be a bonus for companions.
• Where to stay pre/post: Funchal or Machico are convenient for arrivals and registration; post‑race, consider a Calheta or Funchal base for recovery days with easy access to levada walks and coastal swims.
• Weather and kit: Expect warm days with variable microclimates; pack a light rain layer, warm mid‑layer for high‑ridge mornings, and quick‑dry apparel for changing conditions.

Off‑bike experiences for riders and companions

• Levada walks: Gentle irrigation‑channel trails offer recovery day movement with ocean and forest views.
• Food and wine: Seek out espetada, bolo do caco, and seafood, plus tastings of Madeira fortified wines in Funchal lodges that pair naturally with a late‑September race week.
• Porto Santo beaches: The golden‑sand strand and warm shallows are ideal for an easy recovery swim on the inter‑island days.

On‑course etiquette and sustainability

• Trail sharing: Expect local users on connectors; yield courteously outside timed stages and respect steward instructions.
• Leave no trace: Pack out waste, use provided zones for disposal, and protect fragile laurel forest sections by staying on marked lines.
• Safety first: Communicate mechanicals or injuries promptly through marshals; the medical team follows stages and camps but relies on rider radio and marshal calls for rapid response.

Sample Autumn week (Sep 22–27)

• Sep 21: Arrival, check‑in, briefing; bike build and gear check.
• Sep 22–26: Five full race days across Madeira and Porto Santo with 4–7 specials per day; food zones and shuttles keep the pace humane; camps shift as the course moves.
• Sep 27: Final special stage, awards, and closing party; celebration and media recaps.
• Sep 28: Ferry return and departure windows for those staying on Porto Santo the final night.

Verified details at a glance

• Editions: Summer (May 19–24, 2025) and Autumn (Sept 22–27, 2025).
• Format: 6‑day enduro stage race; ~30+ timed specials; ~220–250 km total; ~3,200 m descent and ~1,250 m ascent per day on average.
• Scope: Madeira and Porto Santo, racing across north, south, east, and west sectors; Machico to Calheta arc cited on the events calendar.
• Field and fee: ~140 riders per edition; €2,250 all‑inclusive package with camps, hotel nights, meals, shuttles, ferry, transfers, timing, jersey, and media access.
• Registration and policy: First‑come, first‑served via the official site; optional €200 trip‑cancellation insurance with tiered refund conditions; extras available (tent upgrade, apparel, plates).

Trans Madeira is built for riders who want the whole archipelago in a single, unforgettable push. Choose Summer for spring‑green tracks or Autumn for late‑season hero dirt, secure a slot before the 140‑rider cap fills, and train for long days with big vertical and back‑to‑back specials. Book the flights, pack smart spares, and come ready to flow the laurisilva, surf volcanic benches, and watch the Atlantic fall away under your wheels — one world‑class stage after another.