Stage 5, the journey home is already beginning for many, we leave behind a fantastic 4 days of racing in a spectacular area of Poland. Never before have I raced a stage race or even single day marathon where the effort is so relentless but so well rewarded. Beskidy MTB Trophy 2015 is over but most will leave with many special memories. Stage 4’s 68km (40km short distance) on paper looked like the toughest stage of the week with many steep climbs and equally steep descents, th

As I write this I sit in the river beside the venue icing the legs. The current is not strong but could easily wash me away I am so tired. Today’s stage 3 covering 63 km (40km for the short distance) was another tough day in the saddle, there will be riders out in the mountains for many more hours. The route took the race straight into the hills from kilometre zero. No easy start today. 3 climb’s all about 300 metres of ascent over the first 25km. Then it was up Rysianka moun

The introduction is definitely over, today Beskidy MTB Trophy treated us to a killer stage, bodies and bikes lay in taters at the finish. Those making it to the finish are all winners having covered the 84km classic distance or 66km shorter distance. The race started at a rather sedate pace meaning a large group formed at the front. The steep concrete climb at 15km split the group but it quickly reformed on the tarmac on route to the big climb of the day. Rysianka mountain ro

Beskidy MTB Trophy stage 1, the opener, the introduction, done! What an introduction it was, so many great trails and stunning views along the 62 kilometre route. The first stage of the Beskidy MTB Trophy led the riders through the climbs of Wielki Stożek, Mała Czantoria and Wielka Czantoria. At 10am we rolled out of town towards the mountains and the Czech Republic border. A steady gradient on tarmac turned into gravel after 10 minutes, enough time to spread the bunch out sa