A Dream Born Pedaling Across Menorca
Like many great adventures, this story began simply: among friends and shared kilometers on their bikes.
Menorcans Lluís Camps, Xavier Mascaró, Aaron Genestar, and Joan Febrer had spent years training together and exploring the island’s trails. During conversations, the same idea always came up:
Someday we have to race the Cape Epic.
For a long time, it was almost a joke during training. Over time, however, that dream began to take shape and became a real goal.
Getting a bib for this race is not easy. Teams cannot register directly; they must enter an international lottery with thousands of applications from around the world. Against all odds, the Menorcan team was selected. The dream was beginning to come true.
The Birth of ARTIEM Camí de Cavalls 360°
Participating at this level requires much more than physical preparation. It demands organization, logistics, planning, and resources to face a challenge that lasts over a week in extreme conditions.
When the project reached ARTIEM Hotels, the response was immediate. The company decided to join the challenge as the main sponsor of the team for the 2026 edition, along with Camí de Cavalls 360°, which supports the project in both 2026 and 2027.
For ARTIEM, supporting initiatives born from the territory that promote wellness, sport, and perseverance is part of its natural approach to hospitality and responsible tourism.
A Journey with Obstacles… and Team Spirit
The initial plan was for all four cyclists to participate in 2026, forming two racing pairs. However, during preparation, unforeseen events arose: injuries forced the project to be reorganized.
Finally:
- Lluís Camps and Xavier Mascaró will compete in the Cape Epic 2026
- Aaron Genestar and Joan Febrer have had to postpone their participation to the 2027 edition
The dream remains intact. It will just be pursued in two chapters.
Heading to South Africa
The adventure begins even before the starting line. Due to logistical adjustments for transporting equipment, Lluís Camps will depart from Menorca on March 11 by boat with the bicycles. The next day, both cyclists will fly to South Africa via Amsterdam, arriving on March 13.
This schedule will allow them to prepare equipment, collect race bibs, and acclimate to the high temperatures, which may exceed 40°C during the race.
The Cape Epic Challenge, in Numbers
The race will kick off on March 15 with a 20-kilometer prologue. From there, the cyclists will face one of the toughest MTB challenges in the world.
The Cape Epic involves:
- 8 days of racing
- Stages of more than 100 km daily
- Between 5 and 6 hours of effort per stage
- Technical terrain and extreme temperatures
A challenge that tests both body and mind.
An Adventure You Can Follow from Menorca
Throughout the race, the team will share daily experiences: training, preparation, race moments, and behind-the-scenes of one of the greatest mountain biking challenges.
You can follow the adventure on Instagram at:
This is a chance to accompany this Menorcan team on an experience that represents far more than a race: friendship, passion for sport, and the pride of carrying Menorca’s name to one of the most important international MTB stages.
A Project Aligned with ARTIEM’s Values
At ARTIEM Hotels, sport and wellness are central to their philosophy. The company was the first hotel chain in Europe to obtain B Corp certification, a recognition that endorses its commitment to responsible tourism that creates positive impact on people, the community, and the environment.
Within this commitment, ARTIEM promotes initiatives that encourage an active, healthy lifestyle connected to nature.
One example is the ARTIEM Half Menorca, an international triathlon that gathers athletes from different countries every year in the natural setting of Fornells Bay.
Supporting the ARTIEM Camí de Cavalls 360° team follows this same philosophy: backing projects that originate locally and transmit values such as perseverance, effort, and teamwork.
After all, some stories are not only told: they are pedaled.