Simon Fels

Barend Derriks

Thomas Nicke

Niccolò Varanini

Henrik Mordal

Yoan Dercourt

Eilidh Prise

Neil Henderson

Calum Fisher

Giovanni Ganzerli

Niall Shannon

Paolo Botti

Rene Mistlberger

Ricardo Parreirinha

Thomas Andresen

Odd Erik Farstad

Jon Olav Holmen

Dieuwe van Bergen en Henegouwen

Osti Giacomo

Gavin Steder

Mathilde Germanier

Simon Reithmeier

Philipp Stanehl

Alex Beattie

Rudmer Sijens

Rafael de Giacomo Araujo

Ángel Nicolás Moncayo Jiménez

Johanna Esche

Emanuele Giuseppe Pirrone

Martin Drøger Hansen

Andrew Cullen

Till Brütt

Antoine Vernez

Bernardus Veltman

Jim Cameron

Alli Holland

Martina Kunz

Marvin Walz

Christian Lundby Simensen

Johannes  Spruit

Manuel Stein

Vladislav Alukhanov

Roberto Bandiera

Robbert Verbunt

Ernesto Di Betta

Matteo Recanati

Isaac Kuehnle-Nelson

Roger Nodeland

Nicolas Peden

Joshua Tinius

Sean Greene

Kirin Raphael Kohlhauser

Rowan Matthews

Leif Simonsen

Anaïs Iturrospe

Hans Petter Hustad

Gijs Hovenkamp

Julius Holland

Tinneke De Souter

Annika Baumann

Rokas Bernotas

Karin Eibenberger

Marco Fürste

Dario Valsesia

Manlio Pasqualin

Barbara Van Lathem

Rachel White

Fredrik  Ringen

Alex Benussi

Daniele Facchin

Marco Casadio

Stefano Grandi

Eleonora Tandoi

Ruud Broeks

Cornelia Kleemann

Brian McAuslan

Hannah Vet

Francisco Bonachela

Christian Kuhnle

Edward Stratton

Nels Hackl

Leonie Stüken

Marco Sega

Petrica Zontea

Adrian Ionescu

Peter Tonér

Sandro Beck

Enrico La Grassa

Włodzimierz Łucaś

Alwin Fafieanie

Hang Io

Oscar Huckle

Raffaela Hoffmann

Timo Seidel

Alberto Tattoni

Magne Lygren

Omare Alvarado

Matteo Garavelli

Sascha Eulig

Giorgio Roda

Nick Hill

Rhys Evans

Tobias Schramm

Charlotte Turner

Matthew Turner

Fabian Schramm

Francesca Settimo

Kirstin Marie Leiren

Martin Opheim-Smedsrud

Marco Donda

Steven Geelen

Thomas Geelen

Jasien Haridy

Johanne Albrigtsen

Emily Schaldach

Genevieve Hull

Tom Leunckens

George Mallinson

Ellie Mallinson

Karen Gorissen

Vlad Vuta

Silviu Stefanescu

Alice Wignall

Florian Leber

Julia Halasz

Ben Watson

Einar Magnus Bjelland

John Åge Haugen

Knut Rand

Even Søberg

Laura van Rens

Christian van Rens

James Byrne

Daniel Humphries

Ida Sticksel

Oliver Szotyori

Federico Cenini

Umberto Luongo

Ville Teuronen

Petteri Taskinen

Louise Haggarty

Alexander Shewan

Sturle Dahl

Lene Røstad

BRUNO & CREW

Media 2

This morning, the __149 riders of *Mother North*__ gathered at the Olympic Park in Lillehammer, fueled by a champion’s breakfast for the day ahead. After a final quick speech from Bruno, the peloton rolled out of the arena at __9 a.m. sharp__, riding together as a group out of town.![Starting Line of Mother North](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3hQiUP3REsstCJYd8wg1Ge/1faddcffe7ef0764c5f832543c1f354a/_bruno.gpx.JPG)*photo credit: [Mother North](https://www.mother-north.com/)*

The weather forecast for today looks promising, with rain clouds only expected to rush in late at night—by which time most riders will be taking shelter for some well-earned sleep.

As of now, it looks like __Cap #76, Simon Fels__, is leading the pack, closely followed by __Yoan Dercourt__. A second group trails not far behind which soon will reach the 100km mark.
The leading female rider—and currently 9th overall—is __Cap #90, Eilidh Prise__, with a narrow gap of just 4 kilometers between her and __Mathilde Germanier__.

The route led participants straight through dreamy villages adorned with houses covered in Nordic grass, taking them onto a remote high plateau and offering their first real taste of Norway’s raw and untamed nature.
In last year’s race, this was where the first hundred kilometers of brutal headwinds made their presence felt. This time, however, it seems the riders are blessed with a __constant tailwind__ to help push them forward.![@party_wrench](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3wMJbD0PgXxUYIMF1N2D2r/df78dcd8f83ad31e65195a4283167eef/_party_wench.jpg)*photo credit: [@party_wrench](https://www.instagram.com/party_wrench/)*

After a long and smooth gravel descent, riders will find themselves at the first gas station to resupply before heading back into the wilderness.
The track then follows a river, leading the pack onto a rather tricky section through mossy forests and grassy fields. It was here, last year, that we had the rare chance to encounter a herd of __wild moose crossing__ our path.

As evening temperatures drop, the front riders are expected to reach the first checkpoint in __Grimsdalen__ around dusk. From there, the route winds through a magnificent valley and up to the top of a mountain pass. A seemingly endless descent along a lush riverbed offers a welcome reprieve before riders arrive in the town of __Vinstra__.

Let’s see which riders will pause to rest—and who will choose to ride through the night to gain ground on their competitors.

For now, we wish everyone on the road: __Strong Legs, Dry Clothes, and Warm Hearts__.![@roberto_bandiera](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4fYwEConih4RU2cKqIcPEL/2498cab3d915eac5c05d066add6c9814/_roberto_bandiera.jpg)*photo credit: [@roberto_bandiera](https://www.instagram.com/roberto_bandiera/)*


Off they go: the Dots are Moving

Today, riders gathered at __Søndre Park Café__ in Lillehammer to receive their caps and trackers — handed out personally by __Bruno__, the race director (and *Papa Serpent*). For once, the weather played along, and everyone stayed dry — at least for now.![Accreditation in Søndre Park ](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1bYVraQYEtYoLFEz2E6jY6/0debaa07acf5509feaeb10116988097e/Accreditation_SondrePark.jpg)*photo credit: [Andrea Peruzzo](https://www.instagram.com/peruzzoandrea_/)*

During a brief introduction, participants were informed about the course, potential challenges, and bad weather alternatives in case certain sections become impassable due to heavy rain. It was also a welcome chance for riders to meet face-to-face, share their expectations, swap strategy tips — or simply speculate about who might land on this year’s podium.![Riders Accreditation](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5bVTayUqRIJ33La4e7Wfe3/f1ab9c08a8bf1d12dc40e0dc9c2d1dc2/Riders_Accreditation.jpg)*photo credit: [Andrea Peruzzo](https://www.instagram.com/peruzzoandrea_/)*

Our eyes are on __Cap #90 Eilidh Prise__, an extreme triathlete world championship winner and third-place finisher of Ironman, who has moved to Norway for work — giving her the clear advantage of racing on home turf.

Also worth watching are __Cap #27 Yoan Dercourt__ and __Cap #115 Niccolò Varanini__, who may end up chasing each other all the way to the finish line.![Cap# 115 Niccolò Varanini](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6D8GPccXvIPJtV1e1cPStr/676b88d0d06be86e222a7b2970cf4b28/NiccoloÌ_Varanini.jpg)*photo credit: [Andrea Peruzzo](https://www.instagram.com/peruzzoandrea_/)*

In this year’s __pairs category, Cap #159__ is shared by __Ben Watson__, Paralympic Road Race and Time Trial Champion and World Medalist, alongside his teammate __Alice Wignall__ — a duo to keep an eye on.![Cap# 159 Ben Watson and Alice Wignall](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/25KQi2Z7oANSduF3nZdWzY/54e41fd1f1aad24acc3c6ce093a57e67/BenWatson_Alice_Wignall.jpg)*photo credit: [Andrea Peruzzo](https://www.instagram.com/peruzzoandrea_/)*

A second accreditation took place later this day, as several riders were still en route to Lillehammer — or busy tracking down their bikes at the airport. This year’s arrivals have been anything but smooth: delayed baggage claims, missed connections, and even an emergency landing of a Delta flight carrying __Charlotte Turner__ from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam. Thankfully, she arrived in Norway safe, sound, and with her bike intact.

Tonight, riders will be busy with their final preparations — getting in one last carb-load, charging devices, and packing their setups for __tomorrow’s start__.
Even though the energy is high and anticipation is building, we wish everyone a calm evening and a restful night’s sleep. 
As for now, the ever-changing forecast predicts __scattered rainclouds__ along the route throughout the day — but, as always, that could shift again within a few hours.
At this point, the starter list includes a mix of __roughly 80% male and 20% FLINTA riders__, representing __25 nationalities__ — a diverse and determined group ready to take on the wild.
![Caps of Mother North](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5NDZMpTiPLCVd9aoGQOo9C/b79b050024b8ca355258ea82acb09aaa/Caps.jpg)*photo credit: [Andrea Peruzzo](https://www.instagram.com/peruzzoandrea_/)*


Accreditation, Airport Arrivals & Unplanned Adventures

“Hei” and welcome to Mother North!
This 1000 km unsupported ultra-distance race winds through the untamed heart of Norway, covering roughly 16,000 meters of elevation gain. The route features four checkpoints, each highlighting either a historical landmark or one of Norway’s most magnificent natural landscapes.
![Grimsdalen](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/41c5eoUUkhidNPgvFW6PwU/1fc8a8652d1d94cffddc6aa77aabd851/Grimsdalen.jpg)*photo credit: [Mother North](https://www.mother-north.com)*

My name is Maya Christofori, and I rode the inaugural edition of Mother North in 2024 — finishing as the third FLINTA rider and 26th overall. It took me exactly 121 hours and 19 minutes to complete the journey from Lillehammer to the fjord, through Finse, and back to the finish line.
Last year’s winner, Ole Bjørn Smisethjell, completed the entire course in a stunning time of just 58 hours and 39 minutes. Let’s see if that record can be broken this year.

For now, I’m looking forward to switching roles and watching the race unfold from the other side of the screen — cheering you all on from afar.
![Maya_@bruno.gpx](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1IO48pzL0G0y2YfDDVg99x/67c0fcdb4ed4224a0e7ab9540eb5f333/Maya__bruno.gpx.jpg)*photo credit: [Mother North](https://www.mother-north.com)*

__What to Expect on the Road__

Riders can look forward to excellent road conditions, with most of the course consisting of smooth “gucci-gravel” or pristine tarmac. However, the constant elevation changes — including grueling climbs to remote mountain summits and descents back down to sea level — will put knees and knuckles to the test.
![Fjord](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6P1X7sjOX8xAJfXj5S2hRV/e080c4f456d27dc8ac0a93aeec4e34f2/Fjord.jpg)*photo credit: [Mother North](https://www.mother-north.com)*

There’s only one short hike-a-bike section, taking riders through a fairytale-like forest, where pushing the bike is unavoidable.

The Norwegian weather adds another unpredictable element. It can be merciless — or utterly magical. The 165 registered participants might face misty views, fiery sunsets, or searing heat — sometimes all in the same day.
Being well-prepared and properly equipped is essential. You might start your morning with clear skies and mild temperatures, only to face headwinds and torrential rain by midday. At night, temperatures often drop into the single digits, and the rain forecast for the coming days could turn the challenge into an even deeper experience.
![Waterfall](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/96B0YOZsuVUK1z00D7PFO/e79132b2ce6aaaa5a5e6b47a22e8ccc8/Waterfall.jpg)*photo credit: [Mother North](https://www.mother-north.com)*

__Live, Laugh, Lillehammer__

As most riders slowly arrive in Lillehammer, the race’s starting point, soaking up the atmosphere of this charming Norwegian town, others are still dealing with last-minute repairs — or searching for lost bikes at Oslo Airport.
![Marco.Casadio](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/79708PxbfnAcmY8Jk7Nb53/585c05fbc8f0037b1bb5b24115c349bf/Marco.Casadio.PNG)*photo credit: [@marco.casadio](https://www.instagram.com/marco.casadio/)*

At tomorrows accreditation and briefing in Søndre Park, riders will receive final details about the route, rules, and how the tracking system works. Trackers will send live signals to dotwatcher.cc, allowing everyone to follow the dots starting at 9:00 AM on Sunday, when the peloton rolls out of the Olympic Park Lillehammer to begin their adventure.

Stay Tuned.
We’ll be sharing first-hand experiences from the riders and updates from the media car traveling alongside the route.


From Fjords to Finish: Mother North 2025

Maya Christofori

Kristin Eidsheim Sønnesyn

Ole Bjørn Smisethjell

Mother North 2025 Norway gravel bikepacking race: Unsupported Bikepacking Adventure in the Norwegian lands through remote trails, ancient forests, and pristine fjords all under the magic of the midnight sun.

Mother North 2025 Tracking Norway gravel bikepacking race

Unsupported Bikepacking Adventure in the Norwegian lands through remote trails, ancient forests, and pristine fjords all under the magic of the midnight sun.

Mother North 2025

DotWatcher.cc

Mother North 2025

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