The legendary mountain bike marathon on Monte Calamita, Elba Island
The Capoliveri Legend Cup is one of Italy's most beloved and iconic mountain bike races. It takes place every spring in Capoliveri, a refined hilltop village in the southeastern part of Elba Island, in the province of Livorno, in the heart of insular Tuscany. The stage for this challenge is Monte Calamita, a promontory of unique charm where the red earth of ancient iron mines blends with Mediterranean scrub and the blue of the Tyrrhenian Sea, offering bikers spectacular views overlooking the water.
Monte Calamita is no ordinary mountain for mountain biking: back in 1994, it hosted a historic Grundig World Cup event, where American Ned Overend triumphed over his compatriot John Tomac. Since then, these trails have become legendary, and it is no coincidence that the event bears this very name. Organized by ASD Capoliveri Bike Park, the Legend Cup has grown with each edition to become an internationally renowned event.
Starting in 2025, the Capoliveri Legend Cup became a permanent fixture on the calendar of the HERO UCI Cross-country Marathon World Cup, the premier global circuit for mountain bike marathons. The race attracts the best specialists on the planet, transforming Capoliveri into an international showcase for a few days in May. The event is broadcast via live streaming, reaching enthusiasts across multiple continents.
The event offers two tracks that share the same breathtaking scenery:
The course alternates technical mid-slope trails, demanding descents, and grueling climbs like the famous Muro della Leggenda (Wall of Legend), the symbol of the race. The final kilometers, spectacular and technical, put legs and nerves to the test before the finish in Capoliveri.
The competition is surrounded by an entire weekend of events: the HERO Race Talk with champions on the eve of the race, amateur categories, the team area, and the Elba Legend Kids event dedicated to the little ones. It is a perfect opportunity to experience Elba Island in one of its most beautiful seasons, combining sport, nature, and Tuscan hospitality.
The 16th edition of the Capoliveri Legend Cup took place from May 8 to 10, 2026, on Elba Island, confirming its status as the second stage of the 2026 HERO UCI Cross-country Marathon World Cup. The main race was held on Saturday, May 9, with the start at 8:30 AM from Viale Italia in Capoliveri.
The single tracks of Monte Calamita, carved into the red earth of the ancient iron mines, offered optimal grip conditions thanks to the rain in the preceding days, which compacted the terrain. Among the most anticipated challenges, the return of the famous Muro della Leggenda and the technical mid-slope trails of the final five kilometers stood out.
The program also includes the Elba Legend Kids category dedicated to the youngest riders and the team area.
Capoliveri is located on Elba Island. It can be reached by ferry from Piombino (Piombino-Portoferraio line, about an hour's crossing) and then by car to Capoliveri, on the southeastern side of the island. Piombino is connected by train and motorway (Venturina/Piombino exit).
Registrations are handled online via the official website legendcup.it. Various categories and fees are available depending on the chosen route. Start and finish are located on Viale Italia, in Capoliveri.
During the event, demand for ferries and accommodation is very high: book well in advance. Numerous facilities on the island offer packages dedicated to participants.
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Monte Calamita
Piazza del Cavatore 1, 57031 Capoliveri