Mountain Biking on the Islands of Croatia

The 11^th edition of the 4Islands Epic unfolded on the trails of the Kvarner Islands in Croatia last week.

Photo by Dunja Dopsag

A fast and explosive final stage brought the 2026 4Islands Epic to a dramatic conclusion. Mechanical issues, late-race attacks and relentless pressure defined the day, but after five stages of racing across the Croatian islands, consistency proved decisive in crowning the overall champions.

Stage 5: Grand Finale crowns champions on Lošinj

A fast and explosive final stage brought the 2026 4Islands Epic to a dramatic conclusion. Mechanical issues, late-race attacks and relentless pressure defined the day, but after five stages of racing across the Croatian islands, consistency proved decisive in crowning the overall champions.

From Mali Lošinj to Mali Lošinj, Stage 5 delivered a fitting finale: 42 km and 1,000 meters of climbing on fast, technical terrain. The stage may have been shorter, but the racing was anything but controlled.

 

Chaos at the front, Klimatiza Orbea take the win

The men’s race exploded from the start.

Buff BH Team, defending their overall lead, immediately found themselves under pressure after a front wheel puncture forced them onto the back foot. Chasing from over a minute down, they were suddenly in survival mode.

At the front, Orbea Speed Company Racing Team once again drove the pace, attacking aggressively in search of another stage victory.

But Stage 5 had other plans. Mechanical drama reshaped the race. Singer KTM Racing Team saw their podium hopes disappear with a broken chain, while a late puncture cost Orbea Speed Company their shot at the win. Staying calm amid the chaos, Klimatiza Orbea Team seized their moment. Marc Stutzmann and Samuele Porro delivered a perfectly timed ride to take the stage victory in 1:41:41.5. Metallurgica Veneta Pro Team followed in second (+12.3), securing their first podium of the week, while Buff-BH fought back to limit losses and finish third (+24.2).

 

 

 

 

Consistency crowns Buff-BH overall winners

Despite the setbacks, Buff BH Team did exactly what was required.

Across five demanding stages, Wout Alleman and Martin Stošek combined tactical discipline with consistency, absorbing pressure and avoiding major losses when it mattered most.

That approach paid off.

They secured the overall victory at the 2026 4Islands Epic, Stošek’s first GC win at the race—after a week of controlled, high-level racing.

Behind them, Orbea Speed Company Racing Team claimed second overall after an aggressive and committed week, while Klimatiza Orbea Team rounded out the podium in third, their consistency finally rewarded.

 

 

 

 

Perfect five for Sosna and Marchet

In the women’s race, the question was simple: could Torpado Kenda FSA Team complete a perfect week?

The answer was emphatic.

Katarzyna Sosna and Giorgia Marchet once again proved untouchable, controlling the race before making the decisive move on the final technical sections to secure their fifth consecutive stage win.

KTM Sparta powered by Brenta Brakes finished second on the day after another strong performance, while Metallurgica Veneta Pro Next Ride completed the podium.

It was a dominant performance from start to finish.

Five stages. Five wins. Total control.

 

 

 

A week to remember

The 2026 4Islands Epic delivered everything expected—and more.

From technical terrain and high-speed racing to mechanical drama and tactical battles, the race once again proved why it stands as one of the most demanding and unique stage races in mountain biking.

Across islands, across conditions, and across five days of racing, the strongest didn’t just attack—they endured.

Champions crowned. Stories written.

Until next year.

 

 

Stage 5 – Elite Results

 

Elite Men

1KLIMATIZA ORBEA TEAM – Marc Stutzmann / Samuele Porro – 1:41:41.5

2METALLURGICA VENETA PRO – Andrea Candeago / Diego Alfonso Arias Cuervo – 1:41:53.8 (+12.3)

3BUFF-BH – Wout Alleman / Martin Stošek – 1:42:05.7 (+24.2)

Elite Women

1TORPADO KENDA FSA – Katažina Sosna-Pinele / Giorgia Marchet – 2:05:42.4

2KTM SPADA (Brenta Brakes) – Anna Weinbeer / Tanja Priller – 2:07:07.3 (+1:24.9)

3METALLURGICA VENETA PRO – NEXT RIDE – Maria Zarantonello / Chrystelle Baumann – 2:09:10.8 (+3:28.4)

 

General Classification Leaders after Stage 5

 

• Elite Men: BUFF-BH – Wout Alleman / Martin Stošek – 11:43:37.4

• Elite Women: TORPADO KENDA FSA – Katažina Sosna-Pinele / Giorgia Marchet – 14:38:55.5

• Open Men: BICIKLE FRŽOP – Roko Fržop / Rok Naglič – 12:59:09.5

• Open Women: TEAM VODICE – Maja Bonačić / Dora Čičin-Šain – 18:14:11.7

• Mixed: VALAMAR LOVES BIKES TEAM 1 – Martin Legović / Ana Rumiha – 15:36:18.8

• Masters Men: SQUIRT CYCLING TEAM – Angelo Guiducci / Matteo Polverini – 14:03:59.2

• Grand Masters Men: ORBEA FOX FACTORY TEAM – Ibon Zugasti / Ernesto Mendoza – 13:44:03.0

• Great Grand Masters Men: SYNEVO TEAM – Peter Vesel / Axel Strauss – 15:10:18.8

 

To follow the 4Islands Epic action live, mountain biking fans are encouraged to tune into the 4Islands Epic’s live broadcast on the Epic Series YouTube Channel here. Daily highlights from the race can also be viewed on the YouTube Channel, and the excitement from the trails of Western Cape will be shared on the 4Islands Epic Facebook page and @4islandsmtbon Instagram. To find out more, visit https://www.epic-series.com/races/4islands.

 

 

Epic Series: The Epic Series is a portfolio of the world’s most exhilarating and rewarding, premium mountain bike stage races. Each race is a chapter in a journey that culminates in the ultimate proving ground of man and machine: Africa, and the Absa Cape Epic. Teams of 2 take on the famed trails across the races in the Epic Series, set against iconic backdrops, ready for the brave in you. Choose a partner carefully. Bond. Build. And race the world. www.epic-series.com.