The most interesting european MTB races in autumn

Very attractive events in the South of Spain or France with formats and concepts of great interest to bicycle enthusiasts.

With the arrival of “Le Grande Boucle” in July, the summer MTB season also kicks off. Two months full of events for mountain bike lovers, but with them, the season is not over. In September, when we have already started our routines again, we still have a quarter of a year left to enjoy mountain biking.

October is undoubtedly the most complete month in terms of calendar. The Škoda Titan Desert Almeria, the little sister of one of the most important Mountain Bike stage races on the planet, the Škoda Titan Desert Morocco, will reach its fourth edition with more strength than ever. The Titan Desert format, which includes three races (Morocco, Almeria and Saudi Arabia) was born with the aim of becoming the ‘Dakar of bicycles’, a race that held more than 16 years ago its first edition in the Moroccan desert with an adventurous spirit, where participants ride 6 stages, and share camp in the purest Berber style, with tents in the middle of the desert. Over the years the Titan universe has expanded its destinations thanks to a large and loyal public that year after year, gains followers, and the mother race in Morocco has been joined by its version in the South of Spain (Almeria, from October 7 to 10) and Saudi Arabia (from November 14 to 17).

Between October 7 and 10, cyclists who aim to participate one day in the legendary test of the Moroccan desert, can measure their strength in this more affordable format, the Škoda Titan Desert Almeria. Located in the only desert in Europe, in the South of Spain, participants will ride 350km distributed in 4 stages, riding by the sea, climbing mythical mountain passes and crossing the only desert in Europe. Strategically located in the calendar to enjoy a privileged climate in the middle of October, extending the summer, the participants have all the facilities to relax and share experience with the rest of the participants, in the Official Hotel of the race, located in front of the Mediterranean Sea.

Another interesting race is the Murcia Non Stop Madrid Murcia by MRW, a race that crosses Spain from its capital, Madrid, to the east coast over 700km. The most relevant thing about this race, which will take place between September 15 and 17, is its format. In teams of 2, 3 or 4 participants, or solo, each team has up to 45 hours to reach the finish line in Murcia. In this way, the participants roll day and night, while the rest of the team follows in a motorhome, to the refreshment point where the relays take place. A unique experience with companions, over a weekend, which allows us to discover an exciting route through some rural areas of Spain. It is an event suitable for gravel bikes.