Video & Race Report: Trans Madeira Autumn 2022 Days 1 & 2

Edition seven of Trans Madeira powered by Cannondale just got on the way in the 'Pearl of the Atlantic', welcoming 140 racers from 265nations to experience what the little dot in the Ocean is all about. Although the island is just 50km x 20km, riders have ahead of them 220km, and 30 special stages divided into 75km of trails where the clock is counting.

Welcome to the land of diversity - the East side of Madeira is where the Enduro World Series Madeira took place back in 2017 and 2019. It’s also known for having some of the most diverse terrain on Earth where you’ll feel like racing on five different countries all on the same day, making you question where the hell are you riding?! Day one of Trans Madeira went from wet at the top to bone-dry at the bottom and that's what makes it unique and special.

All clear at the top on our way from bike camp to Chão da Lagoa

Marshals always get excited to meet legends such as Marcelo Gutierrez.

SS1 is long and easy. A good test to kick off the week of racing with views above Funchal.

Katy Curd on top of day one after winning 5 out of 7 stages

Hmmm... feel the loam!

SS2 was all about slip n' slide.

Juan Vintimilla is back for revenge after not being able to finish it out in September 2021, currently 2nd place in MEN30

Back into the dust bowl with views above bike camp in Machico.

We've been giving a chance to young local racers to compete in Trans Madeira. Here's 17 years old Matias Camacho, Enduro and Downhill national champion throwing shapes and managing a stag win.

Machico has been the start of the event since 2018 and we always feel at home when we ride here.

Birthday girl, Megan Tuttle, sending it blind to 3rd place.

The mechanics have been pretty busy on day one but the mission is to take everyone to the finish line.

Our friends from Brave Landers have worked with us since first edition, making sure marshals are on the right place.

Not a bad place to start a special stage...

Arthur Deblonde sitting in 8th place after day one.

Goats didn't make Wyn Masters lose time as he got 42 seconds on Gutierrez after day one.

Classic Boca do Risco has been a part of this event since the first edition.

Phil's bike didn't arrive on time but we managed to find him a vintage Propain. He's running (literally) chainless...

Beer, burgers and a swim in the ocean... can't beat that.

Four more days to go as we cross Madeira on this wild journey.

RESULTS AFTER DAY ONE

MEN
1. Wyn Masters (NZL), 37:40:04
2. Marcelo Gutierrez (COL), 38:22:12
3. Gary Donaldson (IRL), 38:33:43

WOMEN
1. Katy Curd (GBR), 45:41:33
2. Simone Vogel (GER), 47:18:27
3. Megan Tuttle (USA), 47:41:26

MEN30
1. Will Ward (GBR), 40:05:01
2. Juan Vintimilla (ECU), 41:04:11
3. Alex Gammeter (SUI), 42:08:43

MEN40
1. Leo Kokkonen (FIN), 40:13:50
2. Toni Walbridge (USA), 42:42:11
3. Nijs Kurpershoek (NED), 43:07:22

Full results here.

As a dark cloud passes through bike camp early in the morning the feeling is that rain should hit us hard as soon as we reach the top. Madeira has so many micro-climates and you can't really make any predictions in terms of weather. Going up to the top we are treated to blue sky and some very slick stages in the morning. With seven stages on the menu, we go from pine loamy forest to alpine in a blink of an eye. Is there a better combination?

Smiles all around as we get day two on the way.

All aboard the party bus that only goes to where great trails start.

No dust to be seen at the top.

So much excitement and smiles to be seen at the bottom of the stages.

Aston Tutt sitting in 5th place on the Women's field.

Gary Donaldson on the move down SS11, holding into 3rd place.

Local Paulo Sales managed to find time to race with us again.

It was a hard pick on favorite stage of the day between SS12 and SS14.

Finishing SS12 got this combination: tiredness and smiles.

Lunch stop in Porto da Cruz before heading to 1500m for two last stages.

Leo Kokkonen expanded his lead in the Men40 category.

Two stages down to Funchal going from alpine to one of everyone's favorite trail.

A mix of grease and dust where you never know what you'll get.

Above the clouds and then into the clouds mid-stage.

Phil's still on the rental and we're not sure how much longer it can hold...

Wyn had another solid day and still holds first place.

Download the timing chip and get a big Coral - you deserve it!

What's better than swimming after a great day up in the mountains?

Camp moved to Funchal before we hit day three and the big traverse to North.

No massage needed for Mr. Angel Loron (64 years old) racing with his son, Adrien Loron.

RESULTS AFTER DAY TWO

MEN
1. Wyn Masters (NZL), 1:14:37
2. Marcelo Gutierrez (COL), 1:15:39
3. Gary Donaldson (IRL), 1:16:39

WOMEN
1. Katy Curd (GBR), 1:32:28
2. Simone Vogel (GER), 1:33:46
3. Megan Tuttle (USA), 1:35:12

MEN30
1. Will Ward (GBR), 1:19:12
2. Juan Vintimilla (ECU), 1:21:39
3. Alex Gammeter (SUI), 1:23:32

MEN40
1. Leo Kokkonen (FIN), 1:20:13
2. Toni Walbridge (USA), 1:24:48
3. Nijs Kurpershoek (NED), 1:25:34

Full results here.

Posted In:
Racing and Events Videos Race Reports Trans Madeira

Author Info:

transmadeira
Member since Nov 28, 2017
41 articles

11 Comments

formerbmxguy (Sep 22, 2022 at 5:53)

If only the NYC --> FNC flight was still a thing, my wife and I spent 36 hours of airport time to get to Madeira in April of this year. Absolute world class riding, trying to get back there this spring!! Freeride Madeira put on an absolute showcase of their trails, will certainly look to book with them again.

preston67 (Sep 22, 2022 at 7:00)

Go Megan ! PNW represent !

mezzer661 (Sep 22, 2022 at 3:36)

I really want to go. Just feel my slightly above average riding ability may not actually cope lol!

WoollybackPaul (Sep 22, 2022 at 4:48)

If you mean Madeira as opposed to the Trans Madeira event you’d be fine.

Just book with Freeride Madeira, be honest with your skill level and they’ll put you with a group of similar ability.

Or get a crew together and you’ll have a bus to yourselves with the pick of whatever trails you fancy.

5 of us heading out for 4 days riding tomorrow. The trails are world class, Madeira is stunning, Freeride provide a spot on service, great food, cold beer, get me on that feckin plane!

ThinkTank45 (Sep 22, 2022 at 4:52)

I did it in 2019 and survived fine, go for it, it's an incredible experience.

mezzer661 (Sep 22, 2022 at 4:56)

@WoollybackPaul: That's really good to know. I'd love to do the Trans Madeira to be honest, because it might actually give me some focus for training and getting fitter etc...

But yeah, I've heard good things about Freeride Madeira... Need to get on that!

bicycle019 (Sep 22, 2022 at 8:52)

Team Durango Cyclery spotted...

theine (Sep 22, 2022 at 9:16)

Word is Dylan's bike was lost / damaged and he had to piece / frankenstein one together. And in 9th. Atta boy!

Bollox64 (Sep 22, 2022 at 13:36)

Leo doing good on the motorless Pole Voima

loam33 (Sep 22, 2022 at 15:36)

140 racers from 265 Nations?

Lagr1980 (Sep 22, 2022 at 20:36)

people always lie on their resume.. hahaha