UNIJE. DEFY LIMITS

Tuesday, 15 April 2025

Distance 20km
Climbing 300m

Max Stage Time 1h40min

Start Location
Unije – Island Unije

Finish Location
Unije – Island Unije

GPX TRACK

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Welcome to the Prologue – the first day of your 4Islands Epic journey!

Unije, a remote island just 1.5 hours from Lošinj, offers a mix of speed, scenery, and serenity. The 20 km loop is fast and non-technical, with 300 meters of climbing concentrated in the first 10 km.

For the first time 4Islands Epic will visit the western edge of the archipelago and the island of Unije. The Prologue will ease teams into mountain biking on the islands of the Adriatic, where bleached white limestone rocks make tyre choice and pressure key components of any successful ride. Opening the 2025 event with a relatively non-technical course the team time trial format allows for a full gas or more measured start to the race. The Prologue begins by heading along the Unije village seafront before snaking uphill through the old town and turning north into the most rugged section of the island. A high track provides views across the azure waters of the ocean until the second climb of the stage passes Kambunara peak and starts the descent towards the Pješačka staza hiking trail along the shoreline of a secluded bay. After 5 action packed kilometres the climb to the highest point of the day begins from sea level and ascends just over 100 metres before summiting near Kalk, the highest point of Unije. A limestone path heads downhill from there to the southern tip of the island, Arbit, before following the coast northwest past Uvala Pod Lokvice, Uvala Sibenska, Uvala Zalina and the Svjetionik Vnetak lighthouse. A loop pasted the grassy airstrip of the Unije Aerodrome will have all but the most adventurous happy to have arrived by ferry en route back to the village of Unije and the finish line.

TIMEACTIVITYLOCATIONHOTELBOAT
06:30-07:00BreakfastHotel Vespera - Island of Lošinj, Race Hotel o o
07:15-07:30Bus Transfer (Race Hotel - Race Ferry)Hotel Vespera - Island of Lošinj, Race Hotel o o
08:15Race ferry departure (Lošinj - Unije) / ETA 10:30Lošinj - Island of Lošinj, ferry port o o
08:00-19:00Bike Park / Bike Service / Bike washRace Ferry - Island of Lošinj / Island of Unijeoo
11:30 - 15:00Prologue Unije - Island of Unije oo
12:00-15:00Post Stage Recovery MealUnije - Island of Unije o o
13:00-15:00Boat Accommodation first check inUnije - Island of Unijeo
13:00Optional earlier Boat transfer (Unije - Lošinj) / ETA 14:45Unije - Island of Unije o
15:00Race ferry departure (Unije - Lošinj) / ETA 17:30Unije - Island of Unije o
15:30Winner Ceremony on Boat UnijeAdriatic Sea, 44.602993, 14.243947oo
19:00-21:00DinnerLošinj - Island of Lošinj, Race Hotel & Boat o o
20:00Online Rider BriefingAvailable on the Epic Series App o o
Amateurs

For the start of the Prologue, teams will be divided into two groups based on their accommodation type: boat riders or hotel riders. Within each group, teams will be seeded according to their self-estimated times.

UCI Teams

UCI teams start after all amateurs (both women and men), starting from slower to faster.

Start times will be published on www.epic-series.com/4islands as well as the Epic Series App. Please check in at the designated call-up area 15 minutes before your allocated start time. If a team misses their start time, they will have to start at the back of the field, and their time will be taken from their allocated start time

Before the Prologue

Begin your day with breakfast at the race hotel. Afterward, a bus transfer will take you and your luggage to the race ferry. Onboard, enjoy refreshments at the Race Bar while relaxing and taking the scenic boat trip to Prologue Island – Unije. Upon arrival, retrieve your bike from the bike park on the race ferry and get ready to participate in the prologue race.

After the Prologue

Leave your bike at the Bike Park on the race ferry. Check in to your boat accommodation at Unije Island according to the schedule:

  • 13:00 – 13:30 → Aretha / Symphony / Moonlight
  • 13:45 – 14:15 → Adriatic Sun / Nautilus / Olmissum
  • 14:30 – 15:00 → Admiral / Majestic

Finally, sit back and enjoy a relaxing cruise back to Lošinj.

GC and category winners must attend the winners’ ceremony on the special boat, Unije. Please do not depart, instead, board the Winners Boat – Unije for the ceremony during the journey from Unije to Lošinj. njoy refreshments and relax in the exclusive winners’ lounge on the top deck.

Before the Prologue

Begin your day with breakfast at the race hotel. Afterward, a bus transfer will take you to the race ferry. Onboard, you can enjoy refreshments at the Race Bar while relaxing and taking in the scenic boat trip to Prologue Island – Unije. Upon arrival, retrieve your bike from the bike park on the race ferry and get ready to participate in the prologue race.

After the Prologue

If you prefer an earlier return to the hotel (unless you are a GC or top 3), you have the option to take a “Pirate Boat” transfer back to Lošinj. For those staying for the entire prologue program or starting later, the race ferry will transport you back to Lošinj. Enjoy refreshments at the Race Bar and relax during the scenic voyage back to the day’s starting point. Upon arrival in Lošinj, a bus transfer will take you back to the race hotel.

Bike Park – before departing the island, please ensure you return your bike to the bike park on the race ferry.

GC and category winners must attend the winners’ ceremony on the special boat, Unije. Please do not depart with the race ferry. Instead, board the Winners Boat – Unije for the ceremony during the trip from Unije to Lošinj. Enjoy refreshments and relax in the exclusive winners’ lounge on the top deck.