THE EVOLUTION

STONE KING IS THE SPIRITUAL SUCCESSOR OF TRANS-PROVENCE

THE ROUTE

A 100% ORIGINAL ROUTE FROM THE HIGH ALPS TO THE MEDITERRANEAN COAST

STONE KING RALLY, VOL.2 [2023]

Race recap & Results

RIDE STONE KING

MAKE THE ADVENTURE YOURS BY
JOINING A TOUR OR CREATING YOUR OWN

OUR TRAIL MISSION

Maintenance and building-out of rideable terrain

PARTNERS

THE BRANDS MAKING STONE KING HAPPEN

MONVISO

 The ICONIC MOUNTAIN WHICH GIVES OUR RALLY ITS NAME

CALENDAR

KEY DATES IN THE STONE KING DIARY

THE EVOLUTION

STONE KING IS THE SPIRITUAL SUCCESSOR OF TRANS-PROVENCE

THE ROUTE

A 100% ORIGINAL ROUTE FROM THE HIGH ALPS TO THE MEDITERRANEAN

STONE KING RALLY, VOL.2 [2023]

RACE RECAP & RESULTS

RIDE STONE KING

MAKE THE ADVENTURE YOURS BY JOINING A TOUR OR CREATING YOUR OWN

TRAIL MISSION

MAINTENANCE & BUILDING-OUT OF RIDEABLE TERRAIN

PARTNERS

THE BRANDS MAKING STONE KING HAPPEN

MONVISO

THE ICONIC MOUNTAIN WHICH
GIVES OUR RALLY ITS NAME

CALENDAR

KEY DATES IN THE STONE KING DIARY

2024 ENTRY APPLICATION

2023 RESULTS & RECAP

THE EVOLUTION

Before Trans-Provence saw the light of day in 2009, the world of MTB had been missing an event which combined long-distance adventure with gravity racing excitement. So we invented the world’s first point-to-point MTB enduro rally and showcased, in a competitive setting, the kind of riding that we considered mountain biking to be all about.

In 2019 after 10 editions, the message was well and truly out and, for us, it was time to search for a fresh angle. STONE KING is that, and we are more eager than ever to push the boundaries and take mountain biking to new places, both physically and metaphorically.

It’s more than a new race and new journey through little-known big mountains and valleys – the message has also evolved within a more open-spirited project; alongside the annual week-long rally event, Stone King will provide an innovative, accessible touristic structure offering widespread access to a non-race version of the adventure.

SANTA CRUZ
STONE KING RALLY
A TRANS-ALPINE MTB ODYSSEY
44.6673° N, 7.0904° E

THE RACE ROUTE

Same but different: a fresh route and different trails each year.

We have always believed that the Southwestern Alps of Europe contain the best rideable terrain in the world in terms of quantity, quality, and out-there feel. What started with -and worked for- Trans-Provence is a formula that we’re sticking to: an itinerary commencing on the edge of the High Alps, and finishing at the Mediterranean Sea. Amounts to an unmatched 

Each year our itinerary will pass through the Queyras Park, the Occitan Valleys of Piemonte, the wild Roya Valley, and the hallowed hills of Liguria; all incredible areas in their own right, all previously unseen on a multi-day rally. However, whilst the nightly stop-offs will largely remain the same from one year to the next, the trail itinerary will change almost entirely between each edition, providing a mind-blowing amount of fresh terrain for you to race (or indeed just ride!) each year.

The 2024 race route will remain under wraps until 18/06/2024, but check out SKR 2022 and 2023’s itinerary, stats and event story here

2023 RACE RESULTS

All the action from Stone King Rally Vol.2 [2023]

2024 RACE SIGN-UP

Get the info about 2024 race entry

STONE KING TOURING CLUB

Live the dream & ride the route without race pressure

Stone King Rally, Vol.3 | 18 - 23 June 2024 | CLICK HERE FOR SIGN UP DETAILS

DATE & ENTRY

Stone King Rally, Vol.3 [2024] will take place from 18/06/2024 – 23/06/2024 inclusive (6 days of racing) and has a capacity of 90 entrants.

ENTRIES ARE NOW CLOSED

PACKAGE

The Santa Cruz Stone King Rally Volume 3 [2024] all-inclusive package price is €2595. This price includes almost everything imaginable within the realm of your Stone King race experience, as follows:

  • 6 full days of racing. Exclusive first access to the annually-renewed Stone King Itinerary, which will take in around 23000m of descending on some of the Southwest Alps’ best singletrack.
  • 16 huge vehicle shuttles for a total of over 15000m (43000ft) of off-bike height gain.
  • Breakfasts & Packed lunches
  • Evening meals with wine
  • Feed station salads, snacks, hot & cold drinks
  • Mechanical assistance from SRAM’s race support team
  • Unlimited post-ride appetiser food, beers and soft drinks
  • Convivial daily tent accommodation and village (using the latest and best tents and mats!)
  • Baggage transfer from camp to camp
  • Airport transfers (from/to NCE) on arrival and departure day
  • Access to private digital SKR route guide collections on the Komoot app
  • Free 12-month subscription to Komoot Premium (for offline maps, etc)
  • SKR official welcome pack, including 2024 event T-shirt, printed route notes & lots more
  • Value Added Tax, local taxes & fees

€2595 is a lot of money! What does it actually finance? >>>

JUST WANT TO RIDE?

We extend an open invitation to the adventure of riding each year’s incarnation of our route without the pressure of competition. To this end, we have developed Stone King Touring Club.

Touring Club is a multimedia system of structured information allowing all competent mountain bikers, at all levels of budget, to get in amongst these awesome trails on a DIY basis, from July to October every year.

Alternatively, you can join one of our Club Week package tours where everything is sorted for you!

STAY UP TO DATE

Whether you plan to ride or race Stone King in the future, or for now would just prefer to feast your eyes on the itinerary’s vast array of world class trails, you can stay up to date with our latest on the social platform of your choice:

OUR TRAIL MISSION

Without trails there is no mountain biking and it is our responsibility as organiser and promoter to see that trails are maintained. Much more specifically, the improvement of trail networks within a context of positive MTB tourism is in fact a central premise of Stone King’s raison d’être. Our pledge is to leave terrain in a better, more rideable state than that in which we found it.

This involves a wide range of project types; everything from problem solving in already heavily used (and/or sensitive zones), to reopening and breathing new life into underused or abandoned trails of yore.

Facilitation and funding of such projects is also wide ranging. To date, projects along the Stone King itinerary have been carried out either by voluntary trail associations, or with funding from our sponsors, or thanks to direct action from municipal councils. A certain level of encouragement and coordination is required and it is also within our remit to lobby for touristic funding; To advocate for a culture of authorities investing in trails, for the good of adventure eco-tourism, for the good of the many valleys through which we pass.

Click here for details of projects which we have undertaken, oversaw or were significantly involved in within the context of Stone King Rally, Vol.1 [2022] & Vol.2 [2023].

Please contact us for details on the 2023 trail projects which we are undertaking, overseeing or significantly involved in within the context of Stone King Rally, Vol. 2 [2023]

PARTNERS

Stone King is an ambitious project tasked with building upon the race legacy and core values of Trans-Provence (2009-2019) whilst concurrently increasing accessibility to such an adventure. This complex undertaking would not have been started without the incredible support of a handful of the world’s best MTB and outdoor brands. These are the companies and people whose partnership makes STONE KING RALLY (& related future projects) reality:

MORE ON OUR PARTNERSHIPS

SANTA CRUZ BICYCLES

Santa Cruz Bicycles’ exciting product line-up and industry-leading engineering need no introduction. Today we’re proud to announce Santa Cruz as Stone King’s title partner and sponsor, with their marketing team collaboratively involved in every step of our project, from first concepts all the way through to race execution and tour platform production.

“Santa Cruz has always been about supporting access to the best trails and bringing the relevant communities together. Following on from sponsoring Trans-Provence and its message about what an MTB rally could look like, it seemed obvious to take part in this next step, the more community-centred adventure that is Stone King”  

– Loïc Delteil, SANTA CRUZ BICYCLES

 

SRAM

Mountain biking is made better by the innovative prowess and attention to detail which go into producing SRAM’s components, and Stone King could not be happier to have their support as first associate sponsor. SRAM will provide comprehensive neutral mechanical assistance to all participants of the annual Stone King Rally.  

“Great rides make great stories, and for a great ride sometimes you need to get lost. Airing a battle cry for those that are hungry for seemingly endless grinds, life-changing descents and unforgettable friendships is Ash Smith’s specialty. The Stone King Rally pushes our products to the limit, as well as leaving a lasting legacy on the people and communities that it touches.” 

– Ross Measures, SRAM

 

FOX RACING

There is no better-known name in moto and MTB apparel and protection, and no other brand that Stone King staff would rather be kitted-out by! Fox Racing’s exceptional range of clothing, helmets, pads and bags covers every eventuality on the mountain, from solo scouting to party trains. We’re stoked for them to join our adventure. 

“Building on the legendary Trans-Provence’s foundations, Stone King Rally is a true MTB riding event which builds unforgettable memories for all participants. Fox Racing is proud to be supporting such a race that develops an amazing riding experience for the community as well as much the technicality of our products to the extreme.”

– Vincent Saccomani, FOX RACING

SUUNTO

Suunto produces second-to-none sports watches covering the full extent of GPS hardware needs for our route research, and of course your discovery and analysis of the Stone King itinerary.

“Suunto was founded over 85 years ago when we started making more accurate and reliable compasses. Since then we have been enabling adventure. And that’s exactly what Ash Smith and the team is doing as well: They scout the terrain and find the best trails to ride. We are super excited to be part of the Stone King Rally and also to enable people to navigate and ride it on their own.”

– Antti Laiho, SUUNTO

KOMOOT

Centred around an adventurous community spirit, Komoot is a cycling app allowing riders to find, plan and share adventures. We are working with Komoot to provide the perfect digital accessory to the Stone King adventure; a powerful, purpose-built navigational aid for race and tour versions of our itinerary.

“Komoot is all about community driven adventures and the desire to explore. Komoot and Stone King share the mission to enable riders to explore new places and trails by bike. By working with Stone King Rally we help to render a once-in-a-lifetime experience accessible to all mountain bikers who seek adventure, amazing trails and community spirit.”

– Calixta von Feilitzsch, KOMOOT

 

COOLBUS

Stone King’s transport requirements are fulfilled by the absolute best in the Alpine airport transfer and MTB shuttle business. 

“Cool Bus has a relationship with Ash Smith that stretches back some twenty years and we are very proud to have played an active part in his innovative and ever evolving, point-to-point race formats since the very start. 

We clock up over 80% of our kilometres shuttling clients around the northern French Alps through knee deep snow in the depths of winter. Providing shuttles for Ash’s events and tours provide a welcome contrast, with their own different sets of challenges and the added bonus of being able to wear shorts to work! We are incredibly excited to be working on this project which is once again pushing the boundaries of what a mountain bike race can be.”

– Rob Forbes, COOL BUS

 

MONVISO: THE STONE KING

Standing 500m higher than anything else in its approximate vicinity, Monte Viso, Mont Viso or simply Monviso [3841m] is the Alps’ 10th biggest peak by prominence and its north face gives rise to Italy’s longest river, il Po.

Known locally by the moniker il re di pietra (“the stone king”) this legendary rock pyramid is the undisputed dominant summit of the Southwestern Alps, visible from as far away as Milan. It was mentioned by writers from Dante to Chaucer, housed a rare but renowned neolithic jadeite quarry and is believed, in some circles, to have inspired the widely recognised Paramount Pictures logo.  

Through the eclectic nature of our rally’s itinerary and the seasons during which it can be enjoyed, there is one constant; The Stone King overseeing proceedings. Provided that the sky is clear, epic views of the Viso are guaranteed on all but the final day of our route.
SANTA CRUZ
STONE KING RALLY
A TRANS-ALPINE MTB ODYSSEY
44.6673° N, 7.0904° E

CALENDAR

23-30 SEPTEMBER
2023

STONE KING CLUB WEEK 2
(2023 ROUTE)

14 NOVEMBER
2023

STONE KING RALLY 2024
ENTRY APPLICATIONS

30 SEPTEMBER –
07 OCTOBER 2023

STONE KING CLUB WEEK 3
(2023 ROUTE)

18-23 JUNE
2024

STONE KING RALLY
2024

02-09 SEPTEMBER
2023

STONE KING CLUB WEEK 1
(2022 ROUTE)

PLAN YOUR
OWN TRIP

JOIN THE STONE KING
TOURING CLUB

02-09 SEPTEMBER
2023

STONE KING CLUB WEEK 1
(2022 ROUTE)

23-30 SEPTEMBER
2023

STONE KING CLUB WEEK 2
(2023 ROUTE)

30 SEPTEMBER –
07 OCTOBER 2023

STONE KING CLUB WEEK 3
(2023 ROUTE)

14 NOVEMBER
2023

STONE KING RALLY 2024
ENTRY APPLICATIONS

18-23 JUNE
2024

STONE KING RALLY
2024

PLAN YOUR
OWN TRIP

JOIN THE STONE KING
TOURING CLUB