4Islands MTB – A Week of Racing, Resilience, and True Team Spirit
What a week it’s been at the 4Islands MTB Stage Race in Croatia! Our two teams faced an intense mix of stunning trails, brutal conditions, and all the highs and lows that come with stage racing.
The event kicked off with a rainy, technical prologue, where Philip Handl and guest rider Michael Holland secured a strong 11th place, while Nicolas Kautter and Felix Heinemann finished in a solid 24th. Stage 1 began promisingly for Philip and Michael, but two flat tires cost them valuable time. Thanks to the quick support from Nicolas and Felix—swapping wheels and sharing CO₂ cartridges—they were able to continue and complete the stage. A clear sign of the strong team spirit within our group. During Stages 2 and 3, Philip and Michael found their rhythm, delivering two impressive Top 10 finishes and climbing steadily in the general classification. Meanwhile, Nicolas and Felix had a tough day on Stage 2 due to a broken dropper post but came back fighting with a strong performance on Stage 3.
Stage 4 turned into pure survival. Both pairs faced major challenges, with Nicolas and Felix especially hard hit by multiple mechanical issues that forced them to run several kilometers. Despite everything, all riders crossed the final finish line—exhausted, muddy, but immensely proud of what they had achieved together.
