Photo: alpinechallenge.ro
BikeXpert Alpine Challenge
An alpine MTB marathon across the Subcarpathians and the Leaota Mountains
8 August 2026 · Pucioasa, Dâmbovița
An annual mountain-bike marathon starting and finishing at Pucioasa in Dâmbovița, climbing through the Curvature Subcarpathians and into the Leaota Mountains. Four distances — from a 16 km opener to the 86 km queen stage — give every rider their own challenge.
Date
8 August 2026
Where
Pucioasa, Dâmbovița
Discipline
MTB Marathon (XCM)
Routes
5
The marathon
Climb the Leaota line
BikeXpert Alpine Challenge sends riders out of Pucioasa and up into real mountain terrain — the Curvature Subcarpathians giving way to the high ridges of the Leaota Mountains, with the start and finish anchored in town.
Four routes form a clear ladder: a 16 km opener, a 40 km middle distance, a 74 km long route and the 86 km queen stage. Pick the distance that matches your season, knowing every level has a place on the same mountain course.
Routes
Choose your distance
A four-distance ladder from 16 km up to the 86 km queen stage, all starting and finishing at Pucioasa so supporters follow the whole day from one base.
- Route 1
16 km
- Route 2
40 km
- Route 3
73 km
- Route 4
E-Bike Fun 40 km
- Route 5
Easy Copii 1 km
Practical info
Everything you need to know
- Registration
- until 6 Aug 2026
- Entry fee
- 160 RON până 21 iun / 190 RON 22 iun–12 iul / 220 RON 13 iul–6 aug
- Elevation gain
- 350m / 1100m / 2500m
- Start
- Centrul orașului Pucioasa, jud. Dâmbovița
- GPX track
- Download
Details
About the event
BikeXpert Alpine Challenge este un maraton de mountain bike (XCM) în Subcarpații de Curbură și Munții Leaota, cu plecare din centrul orașului Pucioasa (jud. Dâmbovița). Traseul lung găzduiește o etapă din Cupa României de XCM.
Trasee
- Traseu lung — 73 km, +2.500 m D+ (experimentați; traseul Cupei României XCM) — start 10:10
- Traseu mediu — 40 km, +1.100 m D+ — start 10:10
- Traseu E-Bike — 40 km, +1.100 m D+, doar pentru biciclete electrice — start 10:00
- Traseu scurt — 16 km, +350 m D+ — start 10:10
- Cursa copiilor XCO (5–8 ani) — start 13:00, gratuită
Înscrieri
- Taxe: 160 lei (până la 21 iunie) · 190 lei (22 iunie – 12 iulie) · 220 lei (13 iulie – 6 august)
- Copiii de 9–14 ani pe traseul de 16 km plătesc taxă de adult; cursa XCO 5–8 ani e gratuită
- Înscrieri online pe alpinechallenge.ro; regulament, ghid tehnic și trasee GPX disponibile pe site
Bun de știut
- Vineri: ridicarea pachetelor 17:00–19:00 și ședință tehnică la 20:00 (Centrul Cultural European Pucioasa)
- Sâmbătă: ridicare pachete 07:30–09:15
- Bariere de timp pe traseul lung: ora 12:00 la Runcu și ora 14:30 la Cabana Leaota
- Premiere: 16:30 · Tombolă: 17:00
On the day
What to expect
Marked mountain course
Fully signed routes through the Subcarpathians and the Leaota Mountains, with marshals on course.
Chip timing
Electronic timing and finish-line results for every distance and category.
Feed zones
Aid stations with water and supplies on course, plus a recovery area back at Pucioasa.
Finisher reward
Cross the line at Pucioasa to claim your finisher reward after the climbing is done.
Schedule
Event schedule
- 17:00Vineri 7 aug: Ridicarea pachetelor de participare
Pucioasa, 17:00-19:00
- 20:00Vineri 7 aug: Ședința tehnică
Centrul Cultural European din Pucioasa
- 07:30Sâmbătă 8 aug: Ridicarea pachetelor de participare
07:30-09:15
- 10:00Start E-Bike Fun
- 10:01Call up Cupa României de XCM
- 10:10Start Cupa României de XCM (boxă separată) + traseul mediu și scurt
- 11:00Sosire estimată primul concurent – Traseu 16 km
- 11:30Sosire estimată primul concurent – Traseu 40 km
- 13:00Sosire estimată primul concurent – Traseu 73 km
- 13:00Start copii 5-8 ani traseu Easy
- 16:30Festivitatea de premiere
- 17:00Tombola cu premii
Premii de la Garmin, Continental, MitClima și Conacul Ursului
Location
Where it happens
Start and finish at Pucioasa, Dâmbovița — routes head into the Curvature Subcarpathians and the Leaota Mountains.
Good to know
Frequently asked
Where does the race start?
Start and finish are both at Pucioasa in Dâmbovița county, with the courses heading out into the mountains and back.
Which mountains do the routes cross?
Routes run through the Curvature Subcarpathians and climb into the Leaota Mountains.
What distances are offered?
Four distances form the ladder: 16 km, 40 km, 74 km and the 86 km long route — the queen stage.
Which distance suits me?
The 16 km opener welcomes amateurs and kids, 40 km suits e-bike, amateur and master riders, while the 74 km and 86 km long routes are for elite, master and amateur racers chasing the full challenge.
How do I register?
Entries are handled on the official BikeXpert Alpine Challenge website; use the Register button on this page.
Take on the mountain
Subscribe to get reminders as registration and start times are confirmed, or sign up now on the official site.