four rounds in France and Belgium for 2025 ⋆ Vojo

To the well-known Ultra Raid des 3 Vallées in Belgium and the new Ultra Raid Gérardmer announced last September, two other Ultra Raids will finally be added in 2025, one in Belgium and the other in France. Enough to constitute the very first season of what must now be called the Ultra Raid Series. Info and calendar:

When we learned last year of the creation of an Ultra Raid in the Vosges, little brother of the Ultra Raid des 3 Vallées (our story of the 2024 edition), we said to ourselves that there was something there already create a series and the general ranking that goes with it. The organizers were of the same opinion, but they saw a little further. The proof: they have just announced the addition of not one but two rounds, and with that the official launch of the Ultra Raid Series, which will therefore include four events from this first season. These will be equitably distributed across Belgium and France.

It is in France and with something new that this first season of the Ultra Raid Series will be launched. At the end of May, management Ardècheand more precisely Larnas, where three technical stages between the Rhône and the Gorges de l’Ardèche will be on the program. This Ultra Raid Ardèche will take place from Friday May 23 to Sunday May 25, 2025.

A month later, and still in France, the Ultra Raid Series will stop at Gérardmer, in the Vosges. It will be from June 20 to 22, 2025, but be careful, the event is already sold out!

After the two French rounds, it’s time for Belgium, with first of all a new event contested in the Baraque de Fraiture station, in Haute Ardennes. This will be the only two-day round of the season, and it will be on Saturday July 26 and Sunday July 27, 2025.

The season will end with the historic round, the Ultra Raid des 3 Vallées in Ardennes Namuroisefrom September 19 to 21, 2025. Meet as usual in the sports center of the small village of Miavoye, where we will know the big winners of the first season of the Ultra Raid Series.

Each of these rounds will be available in three formats to choose from: short distance, medium distance or long distance, to allow everyone – whether an amateur looking to surpass themselves or a seasoned athlete – to have fun. With the exception of the 3rd event (Haute Ardenne) which will take place over two days only, the rounds will take place over three days, with a first short stage at night on Friday evening followed by two stages in marathon format on Saturday then Sunday. , the accumulation of times over the three stages determining the final classification. All formats are available in Solo or Duo (with dedicated rankings), and Rando packages are available for those who are not fans of the stopwatch.

To claim a place in the general ranking, you will need to have participated in at least three of the four rounds, and there is reason to be motivated since the organizers announce a prize money of €50,000 distributed between the different categories, as well as the titles “Ultra Raid Legends” honorifics for the final winners.

Beyond the numbers, the Ultra Raid intends to bring to its three new rounds the conviviality which has made the reputation of the Ultra Raid des 3 Vallées, without forgetting the à la carte experience with options such as a catering service, post-run massages, bike wash, etc.

We leave the final word to Pierre-Alexandre Van Petegem, founder of the series: “ Our team is proud of the work accomplished to make the Ultra Raid Series a true flagship mountain bike event in Europe. Together, we have created an ambitious and innovative competition, serving fans of this demanding sport. We can count on exceptional partnerships, whether they are new to the adventure or partners since our beginnings in 2018. The Ultra Raid Series embody the spirit of mountain biking: surpassing oneself, exploring unique territories and sharing between enthusiasts. .«

All the information, the rounds in detail and the regulations can be found on the Ultra Raid Series website: www.ultra-raid-series.com