HERO Südtirol Dolomites 2025: A Thrilling Four-Day Celebration of Mountain Biking
The 15th edition of the HERO Südtirol Dolomites wrapped up in spectacular fashion, cementing its reputation as one of the most iconic events in the mountain biking world. Held in the breathtaking setting of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the event drew thousands of fans and elite athletes from across the globe for four adrenaline-filled days.
The festivities began on Thursday, 12 June, with the opening of the HERO/ZERO Village and the start of the HERO Bike Festival. Cyclists collected their race numbers at Stadio Pranives, while visitors explored the latest in biking technology and gear from top brand partners. The Südtirol Sustainability Lounge also opened its doors, offering tastings of local delicacies like Speck, cheese, and fine wines, while promoting environmental awareness.
Thursday evening featured the HERO Charity Night at the Medal Plaza in Selva Val Gardena. The event spotlighted Paralympic athletes from the Obiettivo 3 project and included a breathtaking performance by escape artist Andrew Basso, who wowed the crowd with his signature underwater escape act.
On Friday, the excitement continued with a press conference introducing the top contenders for the third round of the 2025 HERO UCI Cross-country Marathon World Cup. Among the favourites were Rosa Van Doorn (Netherlands) and Wout Alleman (Belgium), both leading the overall rankings for team Buff-Megamo. They were joined by 2024 champion Vera Looser (Namibia), eight-time HERO winner Leo Paez (Colombia), local star Sandra Mairhofer, and European Marathon Champion Andreas Seewald.
Saturday morning saw the main event kick off at 7:10 AM. The women’s 60-km race concluded with the winner crossing the finish line in Piazza Nives by 10:45 AM, followed by the men’s 86-km race winner an hour later. The day culminated in the grand award ceremony at the Medal Plaza, celebrating the champions of this grueling yet exhilarating competition.
The weekend concluded on a high note with Sunday’s HEROE Gourmet tour. Participants rode e-mountain bikes across the scenic Seiser Alm, Europe’s largest alpine plateau, stopping at traditional huts to savour South Tyrolean cuisine.
For more details and full race results, visit www.heroucimarathonworldcup.com.
