After a fast and technical Prologue, which determined the next Start order, the first Stage of Carpathian MTB Epic 2018, strongly tested the cyclist skills and resistance. On Friday, the participants, both Elite and amateurs, had to pedal 60 km on the steep and rugged edges of Souther Carpathians, and facing a 2,700 m elevation gain. The marathon route combined 50% of single trails with forest and mountain paths, around 40%, and a small part of road. The track included exausting climbs and fast punges, and reached some spectacular points on the way: Start from Cheile Grădiștei - Fundata going through Valea Cheii - Curmătura Fiarelor – Vârful Bucșa - Șaua Strungulița - Padina –Drumul Hoților – Bătrâna Refuge and Peak - Drumul Grănicerului - Șaua Strunga - Poiana Guțanu and ended in the same area, at Cheile Grădiștei - Fundata. The participants, among numberous World and European champions, were surprised and astonished by the beautiful untamed trails and views over the mountains. The cyclists who have conquered the Carpathians and reached first the Finish line of Stage 1, considered a hard but still a fast one, are the ones who stand forward at Prologue at Elite Men category: Peeter Pruus (Estonia) coming just seconds away before Marek Rauchfuss (Czech Republic) and Adel Filip (Czech Republic), being only a 35 secunds gap between these riders.

Stage 1 Results

Women
1 - Ariane Lüthi (SUI) - 3:58:13
2 - Jovana Crnogorac (SRB) - 4:06:06
3 - Lejla Tanovic (BIH) - 4:24:36

Men
1 - Peeter Pruus (EST) - 3:18:35
2 - Marek Rauchfuss (CZE) - 3:19:01
3 - Filip Adel (CZE) - 3:19:06