Santa Cruz Stone King Rally: 2 countries, 6 days, 100 riders

Anyone that misses the Trans-Provence will be likely to be interested in the new Santa Cruz Stone King Rally, the successor event to the Trans-Provence. As it’s only for 100 riders, you’ll be lucky to get in when entries open on 30th November. And with 20,153m of descent to tackle, you’d best start working on those arms right now…and maybe the legs too, and fear of heights…

Santa Cruz Stone King Rally is the evolution of backcountry MTB enduro competition. Containing the same blend of wild adventure and gravity racing excitement that Trans-Provence introduced in 2009 and refined over the course of a decade, we now take things to new levels on a 100% original itinerary from the High Alps to the Mediterranean.

Stone King’s truly transalpine itinerary – crossing the Alps’ central watershed not once but twice – will take in two countries and four distinct regional areas: the majestic Queyras Regional Park (France), the mystical Occitan Valleys of Piemonte (Italy), the wild Roya Valley (France) and, last but not least, the revered coastal mountains of Liguria (Italy).

Each of these zones contains its own brand of mindblowing descents and incredible journey-style trails. The inextricable link between these trails, the cultural heritage and the agricultural or industrial history of each valley is critical to the spirit of a backcountry adventure like Stone King; riders will experience -in a variety of formats- a thread of associated stories throughout the race and tour versions of the itinerary.

Race entry is limited to 100 riders and will take place on Tuesday 30th November 2021. The good news for those who don’t get a race spot, and for those who prefer the idea of riding Stone King at party pace and without the pressure of competition, is that each year’s itinerary will be made available for autonomous enjoyment via an innovative touristic platform. More news on that will follow in Spring 2022!

Santa Cruz Stone King Rally – VOLUME 1: 28 June – 03 July 2022

The key stats:

• Countries: 2 (~75% of the route in Italy, ~25% in France)
• Riders: 100
• Days: 6
• Timed Stages: 24
• Distance (on-bike): 269km
• Ascent (on-bike): 8140m
• Descent (on-bike): 20153m

More information and the rider application process are here: https://stonekingrally.org/

Hannah Dobson

Managing Editor

I came to Singletrack having decided there must be more to life than meetings. I like all bikes, but especially unusual ones. More than bikes, I like what bikes do. I think that they link people and places; that cycling creates a connection between us and our environment; bikes create communities; deliver freedom; bring joy; and improve fitness. They're environmentally friendly and create friendly environments. I try to write about all these things in the hope that others might discover the joy of bikes too.

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