Video & Race Report: Race Day 4 + 5 - Trans Madeira Autumn

After a brutal day three where riders make the shift from south to north, day four plays an important part on this entire adventure. Body is tired but half the event is behind your back and time just moves too fast. A 45-minutes drive takes riders back to the top at 1350m to kick off day four, all taking place in Calheta. The question remains: is west the best? Well, we cannot make that claim but west is definitely magical and there's not a single rider in the World that can't deny that. With six (very dusty!) special stages ahead the adventure takes you down to Calheta beach for a final night in tents before moving to finish line hotel.

Arthur Deblonde ready for another day in paradise.

Moooo-ving over 170 (including staff, riders and media) its a mission!

First stage of the day is wild, rocky and in the open!

And has some cool views above Calheta.

Marshals and timing crew always ahead to make sure things run smooth.

The west has some loooong descents and are a real test of stamina.

Left, right, left, right... oh baby, can't beat the west side.

Mid-day coffee... and occasionally poncha.

Leo on his way to win another day on the MEN40 class.

Not easy to follow your buddies on the west as the dust was flying.

Where the wild things grow and where mountains merge with sea.

Aston on stage three.

Hero dirt on a 3km special stage: sign me up!

Local kid, Matias Camacho, loving to ride on the trails that seen him grow up.

Nature finding a way.

Léo Mathieu full-attack.

Alpine followed by eucalyptus trails... all in one go.

Wyn Masters was flying out there but didn't secure the win of the day.

Trans Madeira staff... just a normal day at the office for them pushing 140 racers to the finish line.

Looking ahead for what's around the next corner.

Alex Gammeter sending it blind.

Guys... there's two more stages before beer-time...

Freeride Madeira's co-founder, John Fernandes, has more than 200 descents on this trail but still loves every bit of it.

Dirt surfing on the west.

Arthur Deblonde with the suicide no-hander.

Phil took the day win... not bad with a rental eh?

Race director decided to bungee jump to wrap day four.

Camp moved to Calheta for a final night in the tents.

Stretch those legs Marcelo... one more day to go!

RESULTS AFTER DAY FOUR

MEN
1. Wyn Masters (NZL), 1:56:09
2. Marcelo Gutierrez (COL), 1:57:59
3. Gary Donaldson (IRL), 1:59:23

WOMEN
1. Katy Curd (GBR), 2:23:07
2. Megan Tuttle (USA), 2:25:44
3. Simone Vogel (GER), 2:28:14

MEN30
1. Will Ward (GBR), 2:03:02
2. Juan Vintimilla (ECU), 2:06:44
3. Alex Gammeter (SUI), 2:08:56

MEN40
1. Leo Kokkonen (FIN), 2:05:28
2. Toni Walbridge (USA), 2:11:49
3. Nijs Kurpershoek (NED), 2:14:32

Full results here.

"The good part is that this has been an epic week. The bad part is that Monday we go back to reality". Day five of Trans Madeira also takes place on the far west side of the 'Pearl of the Atlantic', Calheta. On the menu, 6 of the most fun special stages you ever rode. You can ride these trails but racing on them just has a different feeling. From the alpine areas above Ponta do Pargo to the dust bowl trails near Lombo do Doutor, the route eventually takes you to a bar... like most other days. After a week of racing 75km of timed stages is time for a podium and a much deserved night in a five stars hotel... you deserve it.