The Mountain Races Podcast

After days of mountains and desert, riders cross back over the Atlas one last time, descending through fog and green hills toward the Atlantic coast. The air shifts, the ocean comes into view, and the end begins to feel within reach.
In this episode, we hear from riders in the final kilometres before rolling into the finish line.

Riders featured in this episode:
Thierry Le Floch— Cap 125
Kevin Masicotte— Cap 142
Tanner Jackson — Cap 112
Aurélie & Jérôme Mesplede — Caps 317A&B
Paul Cresveaux — Cap 302B
Nicole Van Batenburg — Cap 221
Emma Missale & Sean Geivett — Caps 309A&B

Dotwatch the 2026 Atlas Mountain Race

Follow us on Instagram @atlasmountainrace for daily visual & written updates

Hosted and produced by Mel Webb

Sound design by Ben Crannell

Cover image by Nils Laengner
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've jumped forward to the finish line to catch up with our men's winner, Victor Bosoni. The young French rider won this year's race in a time of 4 days, 1 hour and 46 minutes. We sat down in the Medina of Essalouira to hear all about his ride: the highs, the lows and how prioritising rest throughout allowed him to not only race to his fullest potential, but to enjoy the experience to its fullest as well.

As Victor's first language is French, we cover a few questions in both French and English.

Dotwatch the 2026 Atlas Mountain Race

Follow us on Instagram @atlasmountainrace for daily visual & written updates

Hosted and produced by Mel Webb

Sound design by Ben Crannell

Cover image by Stephen Shelesky
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Old Colonial Road is one of the most iconic sections of the Atlas Mountain Race route, featured across all six editions. Carved into the mountainside, it winds through folded layers of sedimentary rock, the earth rippling in bands of rust and ochre. From a distance the surface appears smooth; up close it is loose, and badly broken in places from erosion. Many riders will rider it at night, missing out on the views. At sunrise, the scale of the landscape comes fully into view and for the lucky few who see it at daylight, it will no doubt be a highlight of their race.

Riders featured in this episode:

Niki de Kadt — Cap 56
JoJo Blunt — Cap 19
Gala Giannini — Cap 81
Ariane Richter — Cap 179
Jeannie & Martin Dreyer — Caps 306A&B
Darragh Cushen — Cap 52
John Roe— Cap 184
Adrienne Estrada — Cap 68
Sebastian Sarx & Denise Vorberg — Caps 320A & 320B
Bastien Girard Nkouikani — Cap 82
Richard Hunt — Cap 107
David Tilly — Cap 217
Cedric Henriot — Cap 90

Dotwatch the 2026 Atlas Mountain Race

Follow us on Instagram @atlasmountainrace for daily visual & written updates

Hosted and produced by Mel Webb

Sound design by Ben Crannell

Cover image by Nils Laengner
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Checkpoint Two: the halfway mark of the Atlas Mountain Race.

Riders descend out of the desert and into an oasis of palms, couscous, showers, and stamped brevet cards. For some, arrival brings relief. For others, difficult decisions. Ankles, batteries, bottom brackets, and nerves are all negotiated in equal measure.

We hear from riders resetting body and mind, celebrating birthdays, managing setbacks, and chasing the cutoff as the clock ticks toward 17:00. By day’s end, 163 riders make it in before time, the snail still moving steadily behind.

Riders featured in this episode:
Emma & Sean — Caps 309A&B
Paul Cresveaux — Cap 302B
Adrienne Estrada — Cap 68
Conor Dunne — Cap 64
JoJo Blunt — Cap 19
Jeannie & Martin — Caps 306A&B
Darragh Cushen — Cap 52
David Tilly — Cap 214
Kari Bergstedt — Cap 13
Matthieu Segard — Cap 193
Hannah Larbalestier — Cap 124
Jake Simpson — Cap 197
Matt Franklin — Cap 73

Dotwatch the 2026 Atlas Mountain Race

Follow us on Instagram @atlasmountainrace for daily visual & written updates

Hosted and produced by Mel Webb

Sound design by Ben Crannell

Cover image by Stephen Shelesky
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the most famous sections of the Atlas Mountain Race is the 100KM stretch of no resupply through the desert. Here riders meander through the Anti Atlas, climbing their way up to a plateau with stunning views of the network of canyons below. We meet riders chasing the snail here.

We also hear from riders at Café Atlas in Ait Saoun which has become a popular stop for riders, and potentially the best omelette of the whole race.

Riders featured in this episode:

Zoe McIntosh — Cap 144
Andy Dodd — Cap 61
Julien Gravaud — Cap 89
John Roe — Cap 184
Cedric Henriot — Cap 98
Roz Osborne — Cap 163
Eoin Cocoran — Cap 205
Julia Wuerzinger — Cap 232
Erin Poland — Cap 308B
Jono Freeman — Cap 308A
Neil Copeland — Cap 43
Matthew Franklin — Cap 73
Gala Giannini — Cap 81

Dotwatch the 2026 Atlas Mountain Race

Follow us on Instagram @atlasmountainrace for daily visual & written updates

Hosted and produced by Mel Webb

Sound design by Ben Crannell

Cover image by Nils Laengner
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.