MTB cycling / everyone: Participation in a mountain bike stage race requires a very good level of fitness and a high level of concentration - and that for days. A strain that really gets to the substance of both the individual drivers and the teams. The participants are rewarded with fantastic trails in the middle of a breathtaking landscape. Here are the most beautiful stage races in German-speaking countries.

MTB stage races: The dates for 2018 at a glance
Vaude Engadin Bike Giro
The Engadin mountains are among the most beautiful and impressive bike areas in the world - undoubtedly a very good prerequisite for a demanding MTB stage race. The third edition of the 3-day race for professionals and ambitious hobby riders in St. Moritz / Silvaplana will take place from June 29th to July 01st, 2018. In contrast to other events, all stages start centrally, so transfers are not necessary. As with the last two editions, the race will start on Friday with the prologue.
- Date: 29.06 May – 01.07.2018 May XNUMX
Website: http://de.engadin-bike-giro.ch/
Zillertal Bike Challenge
"Up on the glacier" is the motto of the 10th Zillertal Bike Challenge. The anniversary edition of the three-day stage race calls for a showdown on the Hintertux Glacier. There are three levels of difficulty to choose from, the hardest variant marks "King/Queen of the Mountain" with about 190 kilometers and 9.200 meters in altitude. Recreational bikers and pros start together at the Zillertal Bike Challenge, and all riders also have to climb the finish line to the Tuxer Fernerhaus at almost 2.700 meters.
- Date: 29.06 May – 01.07.2018 May XNUMX
Website: www.zillertal-bikechallenge.com
Bike Transalp powered by Sigma
Seven stages, 503 kilometers and 18.004 meters in altitude in a fantastic setting - the classic among stage races offers everything that makes mountain biking so attractive. The race from Imst (Austria) to Arco (Italy) leads over old smugglers' paths, alpine paths and tough pass roads. The many highlights of 2018 include the royal stage directly to Livigno and the freeride trails on the Carosello 3000. The stage race for teams of two was held for the first time in 1998.
- Date: 15.07 May – 21.07.2018 May XNUMX
Website: bike-transalp.de
Rothaus Bike Giro High Black Forest
The follow-up event to Vaude Trans Schwarzwald is entering its second round. The Rothaus Bike Giro Hochschwarzwald consists of a prologue and three tough marathon stages. The participants have to master 215 kilometers and 5.800 meters in altitude in the Upper Black Forest. Start and finish on the first two days is Feldberg, the last two stages begin and end in Rothaus. The accompanying event fair is located in the start/finish area.
- Date: 16.08 May – 19.08.2018 May XNUMX
Website: de.trans-schwarzwald.de
Perskindol Swiss Epic
The multi-day mountain bike stage race Perskindol Swiss Epic has been an integral part of the competition calendar since 2014. The six-day race for teams of two consists of a prologue and five stages. In 2018, the race leads from Bettmeralp via Grächen to Zermatt. The participants can expect a route of about 350 kilometers with 12.000 meters of altitude difference. Unlike previous events, the upcoming event will not have a flow or two-day category.
- Date: 11.09 May – 15.09.2018 May XNUMX
Website: www.swiss-epic.com