{"id":203995,"date":"2025-10-15T15:12:36","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T15:12:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/?p=203995"},"modified":"2025-10-15T15:15:35","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T15:15:35","slug":"dust-sunshine-and-cycling-dreams-at-roc-dazur-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2025\/10\/15\/dust-sunshine-and-cycling-dreams-at-roc-dazur-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Dust, Sunshine, and Cycling Dreams at Roc d\u2019Azur 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

I can\u2019t believe I\u2019ve been cycling my whole life, yet I\u2019d never been to Roc d\u2019Azur! It\u2019s one of the most famous cycling festivals in the world, and 2025 was the year I finally got to find out what it was all about.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Roc d\u2019Azur isn\u2019t just a race weekend \u2014 it\u2019s the heart of mountain biking in Europe. Thousands of riders descend on Frejus and\u00a0every October to test themselves on some of the most scenic and challenging trails along the Mediterranean coast.<\/p>\n

The variety is a lot to get your head around: from grueling marathons and cross-country races to fast, technical descents and fun amateur events. Every type of rider has a place here \u2014 pros, veterans, and complete beginners alike. Even as a spectator, you can feel the excitement buzzing through the air as waves of riders take off at dawn, day and night.<\/p>\n

I flew in from M\u00e1laga, where it\u2019s still scorching hot at this time of year. When I landed in Nice, I discovered that this part of the Mediterranean was also holding onto its heat\u2014blue skies, bright sunshine, and a sparkling sea. The mountains and landscape were on another level altogether. Honestly, I reckon it\u2019s one of the most beautiful places in Europe. The base camp was set up in Base Nature in Fr\u00e9jus, a small sea-front town with a well-organised venue where many of the rides and races began under imposing start gates, and where the Expo Village was hosted.<\/p>\n

Having heard so much about it, I wanted to find out whether Roc d\u2019Azur<\/a> was a trade show with bike rides, or bike rides with a trade show. The answer? Both.<\/p>\n

\"Roc<\/a><\/p>\n

The Expo Village was on the scale of the biggest product fairs I\u2019ve ever seen in cycling. All the major brands were there, showcasing their latest technology and styles. Visitors could test bikes, join fun competitions like the fastest wheel-change contest, or watch spectacular stunt shows. I bumped into plenty of familiar faces, friends from the past, and even a few cycling celebs wandering around.<\/p>\n

Despite not having a bike, I was determined to follow the racing as much as I could and keep track of those taking part. Rides and races set off wave after wave. On Thursday, I watched the dusty MTB trails come alive with the Garmin Roc Masters and even the Roc Tandem race\u2014which was quite a sight!<\/p>\n

It was on the mountain sides that I first noticed the smell of the place\u2014a smell that lingered for days and one I wish I could bottle: fresh mint, pine needles, a faint waft from the sea, and that specific scent of dust kicked up by bikes.<\/p>\n

The highlight win for me was the \u0160koda Roc Marathon, just over 100 km of trails with nearly 3,000 m of climbing\u2014won by Wout Alleman, who then packed up and headed straight to the Gravel World Championships. Truly inspiring for us mere mortals.<\/p>\n

The atmosphere was fantastic. You could tell the riders were enjoying themselves. It had that end-of-season vibe, where having fun felt just as important as the results. The spectators brought it to life too\u2014not in massive crowds, but in a steady stream of passionate cycling lovers, all smiles and friendly \u201cbonjours\u201d wherever I went.<\/p>\n