When is Iron Biker Brasil 2026?

September 11 – 13, 2026 (Friday warm-up ride, Saturday short-course / XCO day, Sunday marathon) in Mariana, Minas Gerais.

Where is Iron Biker held?

Mariana, Minas Gerais, Brazil — a historic colonial gold and iron mining town about 120 km southeast of Belo Horizonte and 12 km from Ouro Preto. The course uses the surrounding Vale do Ouro mountains, mule tracks and mine roads.

How long is Iron Biker Brasil?

The Sunday marathon distance varies by edition and category, typically 60–90 km with 2,000–3,500 m of climbing. Confirm the exact 2026 distance and elevation in the current-year Manual do Ciclista on ironbiker.com.br.

How difficult is Iron Biker Brasil?

It is one of the oldest and most technical MTB marathons in South America. Steep punchy climbing on loose iron-rich dirt, hours of rocky singletrack, dry-season heat and a 30-year race culture set the tone. Trained amateurs prepare for months and treat the technical sections as the deciding variable, not raw fitness.

How many carbs per hour should I target?

60–90 g/hr for most trained riders, weighted toward liquid and gel because you cannot safely chew in the technical sections. Trained guts can push toward 100 g/hr on longer marathon distances.

How much should I drink?

500–1000 ml/hr adjusted for the day's temperature. Cool-morning riders systematically under-drink in the first two hours — drink to the clock, not to thirst. A pre-race sweat test is the only reliable way to personalize your target.

How many aid stations are there?

Typically 2–4 aid points along the marathon course, spaced by terrain and roughly 60–90 minutes apart for mid-pack riders. Confirm the exact 2026 layout in the Manual do Ciclista — do not plan off prior years.

What categories does Iron Biker offer?

Iron Biker typically runs Pro Elite (M/F), age-group solo categories, Duplas (teams of two), Sport / short-course entries, and one of the largest e-bike brackets in Brazilian MTB. Confirm the current-year list and category eligibility on ironbiker.com.br/inscricoes.

How do I register for Iron Biker Brasil 2026?

Online via the official registration page at ironbiker.com.br/inscricoes. Confirm current pricing, installments, and deadlines on the site — first-lot pricing is discounted and tiers up as the event fills.

What weather should I expect?

Mid-September in Mariana at ~700–1,300 m altitude: 10–15 °C at the Sunday morning start, warming to 25–30 °C mid-day, low humidity, high UV, minimal rain in the dry season. Cool descents into shaded singletrack still bite — carry a packable vest for the start.

How long has Iron Biker been running?

Since 1993 — Iron Biker is the oldest continuously-run MTB marathon in Latin America, with more than 35,000 total participants across its 30+ editions and riders from 25+ countries. It is a genuine rite of passage in Brazilian MTB culture.

What is a good Iron Biker Brasil training plan?

A realistic Iron Biker training plan runs 12–16 weeks and hits four targets in parallel: aerobic volume (peak 10–14 hours/week for 8–12 weeks), threshold work (weekly 2× 20 min at 90–100% FTP), repeated punchy-climb intervals (weekly 6–8× 3–5 min at VO₂ on 5–10% gradients), and rocky-singletrack skills. Long rides progress toward 4–6 hours with 1,500–2,500 m of climbing on technical terrain. A 2-week taper with race-effort openers finishes the block.

Where can I download the Iron Biker Brasil course map or GPX file?

The official 2026 route (GPX per distance / category, elevation profiles, aid layout) is published by Iron Biker in the current-year Manual do Ciclista and category pages on ironbiker.com.br, distributed to registered athletes a few weeks before race weekend. Third-party GPX files circulate on Strava but only the official Manual counts on race day.

Can I defer my Iron Biker Brasil entry?

Deferral, transfer and refund policies are set year-by-year by the organizer. Historically a partial refund window closes 30–60 days pre-event and a limited category-change or transfer option may be available before published deadlines, subject to a fee. Always confirm the current-year policy in the registration terms on ironbiker.com.br.

Do I need to qualify or enter a lottery for Iron Biker Brasil?

No. Iron Biker Brasil is open registration — there is no lottery, no qualifier race series, and no prior-finish requirement to enter. Register directly on ironbiker.com.br/inscricoes subject only to spot availability and category quotas. First-lot pricing is discounted; registering early saves versus late lots.

Iron Biker Brasil Race-Day Checklist — Fueling, Kit & Execution

Iron Biker race-day checklist

A minimal execution checklist. Every line should be rehearsed in training, not tried for the first time on race day.

Bottles pre-mixed with target carbohydrate and sodium concentration
Backup calories (gels or chews) equal to 30–50% of planned intake
Caffeine doses pre-portioned and timed
Drop bag / aid plan with bottle swaps written down
Pre-race breakfast rehearsed in training
Layering plan for start-line temperature
Sunscreen, chamois cream and any GI insurance (e.g., anti-nausea)
Post-race recovery calories staged at the finish

Packing list

Bike + spares

Race bike (fully serviced 2 weeks out)
Spare wheelset if possible
Two large bottle cages
Top-tube feed bag
Computer + fresh mount
Route file synced

Nutrition (marathon + weekend)

Gels / chews / drink mix for 8 hours + 30% buffer
2–3 caffeine doses
Two solid items (rice cakes, pão de queijo, bars)
Pre-race breakfast supplies (Fri + Sat + Sun)
Post-race recovery drink + real meal supplies

Hydration

Two large bottles + spares
Concentrated drink mix rehearsed in training
Electrolyte tabs for backup
51–68 fl oz hydration pack

Clothing (mountain diurnal swing)

Short-sleeve jersey + bibs
Arm warmers + light vest for cool start
Full-finger or ¾ gloves
Cap under helmet
Sunglasses (clear + tinted lenses)
Warm layer for finish / evening

Sun + weather gear

Sunscreen SPF 50+ (large bottle)
Lip balm with SPF
Packable rain shell for rare storm risk

Tools + spares (dry-season dust)

2× CO₂ + inflator
Mini pump
Tire plug kit
Spare tube
Tire lever
Multi-tool with chain breaker
Chain quick link
Spare derailleur hanger
Chain lube (large bottle for nightly cleaning)
Brake pads (spare set)

Documents + logistics

Manual do Ciclista printout
Race number + timing chip
Photo ID
Emergency contact taped inside jersey pocket
Written stop plan taped to top tube

Download the free printable race-day fueling checklist for Iron Biker Brasil

A practical race-week checklist: carbs, hydration, sodium, caffeine and race-day supplies — print it or keep it on your phone.

Build My Personalized Iron Biker Fueling Plan

Frequently asked questions

Generic fueling plans don't work for Iron Biker.

Every athlete is different. FTP, finish time, body weight, sweat rate, weather, nutrition preferences and race goals all change what you should eat and drink.

FuelQ Pro builds a personalized race fueling strategy tuned to your ride — carbohydrate, hydration, sodium, caffeine and recovery, mapped to the course.

Build My Race Fueling Plan — $19 Learn how FuelQ works

Start with the free checklist

A Race Fueling Plan gives you a personalized strategy for this event. The free checklist helps you prepare the basics first: race-week setup, 48-hour prep, race morning, hydration, sodium, caffeine, aid stations, and backup calories.

Download Free Checklist Or get your personalized Race Fueling Plan for $19

See all race guides

Iron Biker Brasil — Race-Day Checklist

Iron Biker race-day checklist