The Atlas Mountain Race 2024 - Enchanting, yet unpredictable!

The start due to heavy rain is postponed. Then partially redirected to other paths. First moist, then dry and sandy air. Old mule paths between coarse rubble and green oases. Yes, the Atlas Mountain Race is an experience for all the senses. And from all senses. Magical, but unpredictable.

 

As a monument of unsupported off-road bike packing, the race on a distance of over 1,300 kilometers and over 21,000 meters of altitude offers one of the most unpredictable adventures at the start of the season that can be experienced on the mountain bike within a week.

 

 

Most of the Atlas Mountain Race plays away from any civilization, which makes the logistics of the participants a special challenge. Trails that screw up and down again up to worrying 2600 meters in height and again and again ensure extraordinary racing courses and unforeseen twists. Completing this race alone is a remarkable performance, that much is certain. Also this year with 138 out of 226 starters, only a little more than half of all drivers will finish. The good news: many of them were on the road with supernova lighting :)

 

 

We present some of the most outstanding stories from the AMR. Have fun!

 

 

 

Almost inviolable in the third attempt - Justinas Leveika played in his own league in 2024

 

After he had fallen in 2022 and took second place last year, Justinas emerged this year as the winner and reached the finish line in a fabulous period of 3 days, 19 hours and 26 minutes. This edition of the race was undoubtedly fought for its hardest because he had extremely strong competition throughout the race. In the beginning, Mattia de Marchi was one of his biggest opponents - more on that - and in the middle section of the race he had to give the lead to the Namibier Drikus Coetzee. Drikus remained close to his heels even after a break, but had to give up the race due to dehydration and a fall. Very unfortunate to excrete so shortly before the goal. Good for Justinas, because he had an extremely comfortable upholstery in front of the second -placed Ulrich Bartholmös. As always, Justinas showed his mischievous smile in all situations and never took himself too seriously, even if he reached his limits. Certainly a good recipe to win such a difficult race. Hats off him for an incredible journey!

 

 

Justinas knows the services of his Dynamo Course M99 Dy Pro in such races: "No charging, nothing, just step - with the Dy Pro you always have light! The bright and wide beam of light has definitely given me an advantage. On descents in the dark I always concentrate on the trail and so I was fast at night. "

 

 

 

"Quiet" start with a brilliant catch -up in the final - UBA is a surprise bag

 

A special up and down, regardless of the vertical meter, experienced Ulrich "Uba" Bartholmös. On the second night, he had to experience what it means to suddenly be locked in a guest house. In order to find the connection as quickly as possible, he improvised cleverly: In a daring campaign, he climbed down from a window on the first floor together with the wheel and luggage. Although UBA reacted quickly, he lost valuable time and initially fell behind. Untainable and with maximum use, he then managed to catch up to the top drivers on the third day. But only 86 km before the finish line, Uba then had a collision with a wild dog that unexpectedly crossed his way. The result: two broken ribs as well as some blue spots and grazes. Nevertheless, he continued the race and finally achieved a more than impressive second place. Very big cinema!

 

 

Uba also rely on the M99 Dy Pro at the AMR: "I had to conquer a legendary sections like the Old Colonial Road in the dark - it helps a lot to have reliable lighting that illuminates the trail well to always make the right decisions. "

 

 

 

Mattia de Marchi despite double misery unimpressed

 

Mattia de Marchi, who is part of the circle of the panel candidates in most such races, also made a lasting impression: Fate for the second time in a row to have to give up the Atlas Mountain Race. After life problems made him difficult in 2023, his right knee did not want to play along this time. Especially bitter, because after the setback in the previous year he was looking forward to returning to the Atlas Mountain Race. At the beginning it also looked good for him, he was quickly at the forefront and put a lot of speed. But in ultra -long races the wind can turn quickly and you are faced with completely new conditions. Afterwards, Mattia said that he had to recognize that his body was unable to get through such a demanding race completely in competition mode at the time. It is all the more admirable that Mattia took part in a three -day stage race in Spain just a few days later. There he once again showed through his presence in the top group that he recovered physically and mentally super quickly ... and simply was extremely wrong on cycling! Respect!!

 

 

 

And otherwise?

 

The American Cynthia Carson was the first woman to cross the finish line in Essaouira. She kept getting an exciting duel with Supernova driver Nathalie Baillon, often driving in the immediate vicinity and often exchange the positions at the supply points. But in the last 48 hours it was Cynthia who expanded a lead and carefully maintained. She finished in just under five days on Thursday, Nathalie Baillon took just over five days. The last drivers of the Atlas Mountain Race 2024 arrived late on Sunday evening. Daniel Townend made it two hours ahead of the final end of the finish time at 9:51 p.m. and thus secured the place of the official Lantern Rouge driver and the last place in the overall ranking. Although he missed the goal closing time by an hour, Andy Lingham also deserves special recognition. He was the last driver to complete the racetrack. 

 

 

 

Whether you have made it or not: everyone who has made the AMR is the greatest recognition! Thank you for this great fourth edition! We are looking forward to next year!

 

 

 

Photos: Nils Längner

Text: Levin Sottru