Stage 5: Grand Finale crowns champions on Lošinj. 4Islands.

From Mali Lošinj to Mali Lošinj, Stage 5 delivered a fitting finale: 42 km and 1,000 meters of climbing on fast, technical terrain. The stage may have been shorter, but the racing was anything but controlled.

Chaos at the front, Klimatiza Orbea take the win

The men’s race exploded from the start.

Buff BH Team, defending their overall lead, immediately found themselves under pressure after a front wheel puncture forced them onto the back foot. Chasing from over a minute down, they were suddenly in survival mode.

At the front, Orbea Speed Company Racing Team once again drove the pace, attacking aggressively in search of another stage victory.

But Stage 5 had other plans. Mechanical drama reshaped the race. Singer KTM Racing Team saw their podium hopes disappear with a broken chain, while a late puncture cost Orbea Speed Company their shot at the win. Staying calm amid the chaos, Klimatiza Orbea Team seized their moment. Marc Stutzmann and Samuele Porro delivered a perfectly timed ride to take the stage victory in 1:41:41.5. Metallurgica Veneta Pro Team followed in second (+12.3), securing their first podium of the week, while Buff-BH fought back to limit losses and finish third (+24.2).

Consistency crowns Buff-BH overall winners

Despite the setbacks, Buff BH Team did exactly what was required.

Across five demanding stages, Wout Alleman and Martin Stošek combined tactical discipline with consistency, absorbing pressure and avoiding major losses when it mattered most.

That approach paid off.

They secured the overall victory at the 2026 4Islands Epic, Stošek’s first GC win at the race—after a week of controlled, high-level racing.

Behind them, Orbea Speed Company Racing Team claimed second overall after an aggressive and committed week, while Klimatiza Orbea Team rounded out the podium in third, their consistency finally rewarded.

Perfect five for Sosna and Marchet

In the women’s race, the question was simple: could Torpado Kenda FSA Team complete a perfect week?

The answer was emphatic.

Katarzyna Sosna and Giorgia Marchet once again proved untouchable, controlling the race before making the decisive move on the final technical sections to secure their fifth consecutive stage win.

KTM Sparta powered by Brenta Brakes finished second on the day after another strong performance, while Metallurgica Veneta Pro Next Ride completed the podium.

It was a dominant performance from start to finish.

Five stages. Five wins. Total control.

A week to remember

The 2026 4Islands Epic delivered everything expected—and more.

From technical terrain and high-speed racing to mechanical drama and tactical battles, the race once again proved why it stands as one of the most demanding and unique stage races in mountain biking.

Across islands, across conditions, and across five days of racing, the strongest didn’t just attack—they endured.

Champions crowned. Stories written.

Until next year.

Stage 5 – Elite Results

Elite Men

1. KLIMATIZA ORBEA TEAM – Marc Stutzmann / Samuele Porro – 1:41:41.5
2. METALLURGICA VENETA PRO – Andrea Candeago / Diego Alfonso Arias Cuervo – 1:41:53.8 (+12.3)
3. BUFF-BH – Wout Alleman / Martin Stošek – 1:42:05.7 (+24.2)

Elite Women

1. TORPADO KENDA FSA – Katažina Sosna-Pinele / Giorgia Marchet – 2:05:42.4
2. KTM SPADA (Brenta Brakes) – Anna Weinbeer / Tanja Priller – 2:07:07.3 (+1:24.9)
3. METALLURGICA VENETA PRO – NEXT RIDE – Maria Zarantonello / Chrystelle Baumann – 2:09:10.8 (+3:28.4)

General Classification Leaders after Stage 5

• Elite Men: BUFF-BH – Wout Alleman / Martin Stošek – 11:43:37.4
• Elite Women: TORPADO KENDA FSA – Katažina Sosna-Pinele / Giorgia Marchet – 14:38:55.5
• Open Men: BICIKLE FRŽOP – Roko Fržop / Rok Naglič – 12:59:09.5
• Open Women: TEAM VODICE – Maja Bonačić / Dora Čičin-Šain – 18:14:11.7
• Mixed: VALAMAR LOVES BIKES TEAM 1 – Martin Legović / Ana Rumiha – 15:36:18.8
• Masters Men: SQUIRT CYCLING TEAM – Angelo Guiducci / Matteo Polverini – 14:03:59.2
• Grand Masters Men: ORBEA FOX FACTORY TEAM – Ibon Zugasti / Ernesto Mendoza – 13:44:03.0
• Great Grand Masters Men: SYNEVO TEAM – Peter Vesel / Axel Strauss – 15:10:18.8