Welcome to our podcast coverage of the third Hellenic Mountain Race, supported by Albion, Tailfin, Pertex and STYRKR. We sit down with Alex McCormack, the 2025 Hellenic Mountain Race winner, just days after his ride to the sea. Alex reflects on his back-and-forth battle with Anatole Naimi, the unrelenting nature of the course, and what it took to h…

Welcome to our podcast coverage of the third Hellenic Mountain Race, supported by Albion, Tailfin, Pertex and STYRKR. By Day 5 of the Hellenic Mountain Race, everyone is feeling it. Fatigue is universal, moods are mixed, and the weather, like the terrain, has it's own ups and downs. In this episode we start at Checkpoint 2 for some of the final rid…

Welcome to our podcast coverage of the third Hellenic Mountain Race, supported by Albion, Tailfin, Pertex and STYRKR. Tucked into the mountains at the halfway point of the race, Checkpoint 2 has a kind of gravity to it. The views are big, the vibes are laid back, and time starts to melt for everyone who enters the compound. In today’s episode, repo…

Welcome to our podcast coverage of the third Hellenic Mountain Race, supported by Albion, Tailfin, Pertex and STYRKR. All of our riders have now passed Checkpoint 1 and collected their first stamp. Checkpoint 1 marks a key moment in the Hellenic Mountain Race. It’s the first validation official validation of their effort so far and a place to reset…

Welcome to the Hellenic Mountain Race Podcast, supported by Albion, Tailfin, Pertex and STYRKR. Day two of the Hellenic Mountain Race unfolded under clearer skies, but the lingering mud, fatigue, and technical challenges left little doubt—this race is as tough as it is beautiful. Riders pushed through sodden forests, ancient staircases, and one of …

Welcome to the Hellenic Mountain Race Podcast, supported by Albion, Tailfin, Pertex and STYRKR. The third edition of the Hellenic Mountain Race kicks off beneath the cliffs of Meteora as nearly 200 riders embark on an epic journey into the Pindus mountains. In this episode, we hear from a diverse cast of riders, Control Car 3 spending time the day …

Welcome to the Hellenic Mountain Race Podcast, supported by Albion, Tailfin, Pertex and STYRKR. Today, we’re in Meteora for registration day. Riders gather beneath the towering cliffs to collect their trackers, run through kit checks, and pick up race caps printed with their dot numbers. The atmosphere is quietly electric—part excitement, part nerv…

In this episode, Mel and Nelson sit down in the shadow of the towering Meteora rocks to preview the 2025 edition of the Hellenic Mountain Race. They walk through this year’s course, unique challenges, and highlights—from forested tracks and rocky descents to unforgettable vistas, hearty local tavernas, and warm local people. Expect insights into th…

In just one weeks time we return to Greece for the third edition of the Hellenic Mountain Race. An off-road, unsupported bikepacking race down the rugged spine of the Pindus Mountains. A journey of 877 kilometres with nearly 28,000m of climbing. The race kicks off at 9AM local time on May 24th and the clock does not stop until midnight on Saturday …

Marei Moldenhauer was the first woman to reach the finish line in Essaouira, winning the women’s race and finishing 8th overall at the 2025 Atlas Mountain Race. She finished in a time of 4 days 14 hours and 20 minutes, nearly 5 hours faster than last year’s women’s winner on an arguably even harder course. From the very start, Marei led the women’s…

Alex McCormack was the first rider to reach the finish line in Essaouira, winning both the men’s race and the overall at the 2025 Atlas Mountain Race with a time of 3 days and 20 hours. At 27 years old, the British rider put in a performance that was fast, composed, and ultimately 15 minutes quicker than the previous best time on this course, set b…

By the time this episode reaches you, the full men’s and women’s podiums will have arrived in Essaouira, but for many riders, the race is still very much underway. On day four, we set our sights on the infamous sand section—now an AMR stable. Some years, it's rideable. Other years, it’s nothing but deep, loose sand. This year, one of our control ca…

Checkpoint 2 at the Atlas Mountain Race marks a major turning point for riders. Some arrive exhausted but determined, others battle mechanicals, freezing temperatures, or even food poisoning just to get here. For some, CP2 offers a much-needed reset—food, rest, and encouragement to push on. For others, it’s a place of tough decisions, including whe…

Control Car 3 catches up with midpack riders in the long remote stretch between Imassine and Afra. Riders are settling into their rhythm—decisions about sleep, food, and pacing are becoming more deliberate, and the reality of the race is setting in. Some push through the night, chasing position, while others stop to recover, knowing that there’s a …

The first 24 hours of the Atlas Mountain Race have delivered everything riders signed up for—adventure, exhaustion, and the raw challenge of racing through Morocco’s rugged terrain. In this episode, we break down the opening night and day on course, from the first arrivals at CP1 to the struggles and triumphs unfolding on the road. We hear from one…

Registration day at the Atlas Mountain Race is always a mix of excitement and nerves, and in this episode, we take you inside the buzz of 'Day Zero.' Hosted by the race team and supported by Redshift, this episode captures the anticipation before riders roll out into the unknown. Dotwatch and follow the action here For visual updates throughout the…

The fifth edition of the Atlas Mountain Race is here, and in this episode we bring you an in-depth preview straight from Marrakech with race director Nelson Trees. This year’s race is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet. 278 riders will be lining up on Friday February 7th. Tune in as we break down this year’s route, the top contenders and…

In just one weeks time we return to Morocco for the fifth edition of the Atlas Mountain Race. An off-road, unsupported bikepacking race. Starting in Marrakesh, the route takes riders over the towering Atlas Mountains, and through the rugged Anti-Atlas, winding its way to the old port town of Essaouira. A journey of 1,305 kilometers with over 23,000…

Welcome to day 15 of the 2024 Silk Road Mountain Race. As the race reaches its conclusion, Allan interviews a few more racers who have crossed the finish line. In these final moments, riders share their reflections and what it took to get to the end. Tune in to hear their stories. Follow the riders progress on MAProgress. Thanks as always to our ra…

Welcome to day 14 of the 2024 Silk Road Mountain Race. As the Silk Road Mountain Race inches closer to and end, Allan interviews the finishers who are now unwinding by the serene lakeside in Cholpon-Ata. This episode, the first of a two-part series, captures the peaceful yet tired reflections of racers who have completed their epic journey. Listen …

Welcome to day 13 of the 2024 Silk Road Mountain Race. As the end of the Silk Road Mountain Race looms, Allan takes riders up their last pass. The sense of accomplishment is palpable as they inch closer to the summit, battling fatigue but driven by the finish line. Allan shares the journey up the final ascent, highlighting the resolve and spirit of…

Welcome to day 12 of the 2024 Silk Road Mountain Race. Day 12 of the Silk Road Mountain Race sees riders confronting the tough ascent of Shamsi Pass, a challenge that pushes both body and mind. Allan spends the morning gathering stories from those climbing up, while the afternoon reveals a hidden oasis where riders pause to recharge. As the race ne…

Welcome to Day 11 of the 2024 Silk Road Mountain Race Day 11 brings Allan back to Checkpoint 3, where he encounters riders fighting to make it in time before the 9pm closure. The stories shared by these riders are a testament to the resilience and mental fortitude needed to endure such a grueling race. Their journey is as inspiring as the leaders, …

Welcome to Day 10 of 2024 Silk Road Mountain Race. Today, Allan sits down with the men's and women's first place finishers of the 2024 Silk Road Mountain Race. Hear their reflections on the race, the challenges they faced, and what it took to cross the finish line first. These intimate conversations reveal the grit, determination, and strategy behi…

Welcome to day 9 of the 2024 Silk Road Mountain Race. Today, Allan and Control Car 3 venture into the remote and awe-inspiring Arabel Valley on Day 9 of the Silk Road Mountain Race. The vast, empty grasslands stretch endlessly, with only the occasional yurt and roaming cattle to break the solitude. At Checkpoint 3, Allan interviews riders who have …

Welcome to day 8 of the 2024 Silk Road Mountain Race. Today brings a full men’s podium and an unforgettable climb up the infamous Soviet Road. Starting the day at the peaceful CP2 yurt camp, riders faced a brutal 20% grade ascent that many were eager to put behind them. As the day progressed, we shifted focus to those still en route to CP2, fightin…

Welcome to day 7 of the 2024 Silk Road Mountain Race. Day 7 marks the halfway point in the Silk Road Mountain Race, both in distance and time. After an early start at the caravan, Allan takes us through a day of reflection and reset as riders reach CP2. The conversations are relaxed, tinged with fatigue, and grounded in the reality of the race as t…

Welcome to day 6 of the 2024 Silk Road Mountain Race. Allan jumps ahead to the chase group on Day 6, capturing the female leader’s evening arrival in Naryn and the next morning’s hectic road out of town. A sit-down with Race Director Nelson provides insight into the front of the race, before Allan heads toward the Chinese border. There, he stumbles…

Welcome to Day 5 of the 2024 Silk Road Mountain Race. From the oppressive heat and washboard roads to Baetov to the cooler, lush highlands after, riders are tested by the changing environments. Join us as we follow Allan's interviews with those pushing through this demanding section of the race. Follow the riders progress on MAProgress. Thanks as a…

Welcome to day 4 of the 2024 Silk Road Mountain Race. Allan catches up with riders as they prepare for the breathtaking descent after CP1. Back at CP1, Allan meets the last riders before the checkpoint cutoff—some determined to push on, others contemplating if their race ends here or continues in touring mode. Follow the riders progress on MAProgre…

Welcome to day 3 of the 2024 Silk Road Mountain Race. Join Allan as he interviews riders at CP1 before retracing their steps to Song-Köl Lake. The scenic but tough trail ahead has riders appreciating clear skies and mid-race camaraderie. With guesthouses offering a touch of luxury, including saunas and the allure of a swim in the lake, the mid-pack…

Welcome to day 2 of the Silk Road Mountain Race. Riders descend from Kegeti Pass into a cool, rainy valley, a stark contrast to the scorching heat of Day 1. The remote terrain and high altitude push riders to their limits. Allan captures their stories as he navigates a day of media car challenges and a marathon drive to the first checkpoint. Follow…

Welcome to Day 1 of the 2024 Silk Road Mountain Race. In this episode, we take you straight to the start line, where riders from around the world share their thoughts, hopes, and nerves before embarking. The day unfolds with the riders facing the daunting Kegeti Pass, a climb notorious for its steep gradients and unforgiving terrain. Allan captures…

Welcome to Registration day of the 2024 Silk Road Mountain Race. Allan Shaw is reporting live from the registration area, where he’s chatting with riders as they gear up and get ready for the adventure ahead. The air is buzzing with a blend of anticipation and excitement. We can’t wait to see how the race unfolds. Be sure to tune in tomorrow to fin…

Welcome to the 2024 Silk Road Mountain Race. In this podcast, we want to bring you the stories behind competition. From the very front and all the way to the back of the field. Because no matter which racer gets to the finish line first, every racer will experience an unforgettable journey across a beautiful country, full of challenges and rewards,…

We've now reached the finish line of the Hellenic Mountain Race. This episode is a little longer than previous and for good reason. Allan sits with some of our riders at the seaside in Nafpaktos to hear about their races. These experiences are difficult to capture in such a short time frame, and but we hope these conversations give you a glimpse of…

Welcome to day 7 of the Hellenic Mountain Race. While the vast majority of our riders have reached Nafpaktos, we still have a handful of riders out on course battling the snail in hopes of making the finishers party on Saturday evening. In the small village of Kastania, there's a surprise oasis in the form of a restaurant run by locals Dimitra and …

Welcome to day 6 of the Hellenic Mountain Race. We now have a full podium for both the men and women, as well as our first place pair. Christophe Djikmanns took the top step in the men's race, while Mascha Wahlig won the women's category. After some sleep and food, they sat down with our host Allan to give us the story of their journey from Meteora…

Welcome to day 5 of Hellenic Mountain Race. Today Allan catches up with riders at CP3 in the ski resort town of Karpenisi. Karpenisi is the final major town before riders head out into the wild for the final arduous stretch. We hear from our eventual women's winner, Mascha, as well as a host of other characters. This podcast is made possible thanks…

Welcome to Day 4 of the Hellenic Mountain Race. While the head of the race is nearing the finish line, there's still a long road to go for many. Allan catches up with riders at the haven that is CP2. By now, many stories have begun to surface. Race Director Nelson Trees also provides an update on the field and how things have unfolded so far. Tune …

Welcome to day 3 of the Hellenic Mountain Race. Many of our riders have now gotten their stamp at checkpoint one and are on their way into the wilderness beyond Metsovo. Allan spent the evening of Day 2 at CP1, catching up with riders before they took off. We also hear from some of our riders further back ahead of receiving their stamp and cap off …

Welcome to day 2 of the Hellenic Mountain Race. After a rainy first night, many riders took shelter while others opted to push through. Allan caught up with our riders at various points along the course, from the beautiful Vikos Gorge, to Kipoi, to the highest point of the race just before checkpoint one. While we're only nearing 48 hours into the …

Welcome to day one of the Hellenic Mountain Race. Early Saturday morning riders set off from the picturesque town of Meteora. After a scenic singletrack loop around the monasteries, riders headed into the mountains. In many ways this year is reminiscent of last year's circumstances, with heavy rain during the day and into the evening. Tune into see…

Welcome to the Hellenic Mountain Race, an 880km fixed route, unsupported, single-stage cycling race through the mountains of Greece. With nearly 28,000 metres of climbing in some of the most remote landscapes in Greece, riders are in for an adventure. Allan Shaw reports live from registration, catching up with riders as they get checked in and lock…

Allan Shaw sits down with some of the recurring racers we've followed over the past week. Hear the highs, lows, and whats on their minds as they pack-up their bikes, say goodbye to friends, and get ready to go back to normal life. This podcast is made possible thanks to the support from Holy Fat, Energy dense sports nutrition. Listeners of the podc…

Allan Shaw sits down with the winner of the overall race, Justinas Leveika, and the winner of the women's category, Cynthia Carson. Hear all about the roller coaster rides that both riders went through on the way to their respective victories at this year's Atlas Mountain Race. This podcast is made possible thanks to the support from Holy Fat, Ener…

Allan heads to CP3 to check-in with riders who have squeaked in before the time cut, as well as those who have had to scratch from the race. With a mix of podcast first-timers, and those we haven't heard from since the beginning of the race, today's episode provides a fresh outlook on the race, as riders discuss the many lessons learnt in the Atlas…

Allan stations himself in the Paradise Valley to get impressions from riders heading into the home stretch of the race. With tired legs, cloudy minds, and some very sore necks, riders take on one last big climb before the relatively tame ride up the coast to the finish line in Essaouira. This podcast is made possible thanks to the support from Holy…

Allan catches up with racers as they work their way from CP3 to the finish on the coast in Essaouira. He then jumps ahead to hear from the leader of the women's race Cynthia, and the leaders of the pairs race, Manuel and Federico. He then heads to the "Moroccan Stelvio" to chat with riders as they climb the last major climb of the race. Finally, Ne…

Allan rolls into CP2 shortly after midnight and finds countless riders fuelling up, resting, and preparing to take on the next section of the race. We also hear from pre-race favourite Mattia De Marchi on scratching from the race. We then get a special guest call-in from race organizer, Nelson Trees, giving us an update from the front of the race. …