STAGE 3 – CRES

IGNITE ADVENTURE, UNLEASH MOTION

Thursday, 16 April 2026

Distance 83km
Climbing 1900m

Intermediate Cut-Off at 22.1km – 12:45

Max Stage Time 8h 15min

Start Location
Merag – Island Cres

Finish Location
Cres – Island Cres

GPX TRACK

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Remote, raw and relentless, the soul of 4Islands Epic.

Stage 3 delivers one of the most authentic mountain biking experiences in Croatia. Starting directly from the Merag ferry, riders are thrown straight into climbing above the Adriatic.

Remote villages, wild landscapes and the iconic Shepherd’s Paradise singletracks define this queen-style stage. The terrain is constantly changing, demanding pacing, resilience and focus until the final run back toward Cres.

TIMEACTIVITYLOCATIONHOTELBOAT
06:30-07:20Luggage Drop off in front of the MAIN entrance to Race hotelRace Hotel (Sunny Baška by Valamar - Island of Krk)o
06:30-07:20BreakfastRace Hotel & Boatoo
07:00-07:20Shuttle to Race Ferry for transfer to Stage 3East corner of hotel oo
07:00-10:30Bike Park / Bike ServiceRace Ferry oo
08:00-09:40Transfer by Race Ferry (Baška-Merag)Baška, Island of Krk - Merag, Island of Cres oo
10:45Supporter Shuttle to Spectator Points on the TrailsMerag, Island of Cresoo
10:15Start Stage 3Merag, Island of Cres o o
13:00-19:00 Race Office / CIOVITA & USWE Merchandise StoreRace Village - Cres, Island of Cresoo
14:30-19:00Bike Park / Bike Service / Bike WashRace Ferry - Cres Harbour, Island of Cresoo
13:26Winners Elite Men expectedRace Village - Cres, Island of Cres o o
13:45Finish Line Awards Elite MenRace Village - Cres, Island of Cres o o
13:00-19:00Post Stage Recovery MealRace Village - Cres, Island of Cres o o
14:17Winners Elite Women expectedRace Village - Cres, Island of Cres o o
14:30-19:00Available shuttle (Cres - Race Hotel, Island of Lošinj (every 60")Bus stop - Cres, Island of Creso
14:30Finish Line Awards Elite WomenRace Village - Cres, Island of Cres o o
15:30Finish Line Awards - All other categoriesRace Village - Cres, Island of Cres o o
18:30Finish Line closesRace Village - Cres, Island of Cres o o
19:00-21:00DinnerRace Hotel & Boat o o
20:00Online Rider BriefingAvailable on the Epic Series App o o

Today’s logistics are as unique as the race itself.

  • Riders will start on the Island of Krk, race on the second island (Cres), and spend the night on the third island (Lošinj).
  • All riders will be transferred from Stage 2 to Stage 3 by the Race Ferry, including riders staying on the boats. Bikes will travel together with riders on the ferry.
  • All riders must collect their bikes from the bike park located at the Race Ferry before the start of the stage, and riders are not allowed to exit the Race Ferry with their bikes before the official start time. Warm‑up opportunities are limited or not possible on this stage.
  • After finishing Stage 3, hotel riders will be transferred by shuttle to their race hotels, while riders staying on the boats will have their accommodation directly at the finish area.

Elite Men
Elite Men will start first, according to the official start list.

Open Men – Batch A
Open Men (Batch 1) will start immediately after the Elite Men.

Elite Women
Elite Women will start after Open Men – Batch A.

Other Batches
All remaining batches will start afterward, according to their assigned batch order and published start times.

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

For riders staying on the boat, today’s logistics are simple.

Before Stage 3

Enjoy breakfast and then embark on the Race Ferry together with all riders to travel to the start of Stage 3.

Cool Tip 💡

Bring a light jacket or some warm clothes in your sling bag. It can get a bit breezy on the ferry deck, and you might appreciate an extra layer while enjoying the cruise.
Once at Merag, collect your bike from the bike park and get ready for the stage 3.

After Stage 3

Finishing the stage, your accommodation (the boat) will be located at the finish area. Before embarking, please leave your bike once again at the Race Ferry – Bike Park, as it will be transferred for the next stage, which is the Time Trial at Unije

BOAT LOCATION AFTER STAGE 3

For riders staying in the hotel, today’s logistics require a few additional steps.

Before Stage 3

After breakfast, please drop off your luggage at the designated luggage drop‑off point at the hotel. Once done, proceed to the Race Ferry either by using the organized shuttle service or by walking, as it is within walking distance.

Cool Tip 💡
Bring a light jacket or some warm clothes in your sling bag. It can get a bit breezy on the ferry deck, and you might appreciate an extra layer while enjoying the cruise.

At the Race Ferry, collect your bike from the bike park and get ready for the start of Stage 3.

After Stage 3:

After finishing the stage, enjoy your recovery meal and refreshments at the Race Village. Once you are done, please walk to the Race Ferry and leave your bike at the Bike Park, as it will be transferred for the next stage, which is the individual Time Trial at Unije.

Hotel riders will then use the organized shuttle service to transfer to the race hotel on the next island, Lošinj.

Bus stop is within walking distance from Race village.

BUS STOP LOCATION
RACE FERRY-BIKE PARK LOCATION