Why Mallorca 312 needs to be on your cycling sportive bucket list

Why Mallorca 312 needs to be on your cycling sportive bucket list

Eight thousand cyclists take part in this event each year, making it one of the most Europe’s most popular cycle sportives

Explore Photos: The Adventure Bakery Words: India Paine

Mallorca 312 will be in its 15th edition in 2025, having been created by Xisco Lliteras in 2010, who had been working as the sports coordinator for the government of the Balearic Island. But it was two years before that, over dinner in 2008, that the seed of holding an event that would see people cycle the entire island of Mallorca was planted. Two years later in June, the first edition of Mallorca 312 took place with 199 participants. Fast forward to 2024 and the event now sees over 8,000 participants take part, travelling from all over the world to be a part of this epic cycling sportive on the island of Mallorca. 

The event is only growing in popularity, too, with 8,000 registration bibs being sold in just six minutes for the 2024 edition, according to the event organisation team. But it is no surprise when you get to experience the cycling haven of Mallorca on completely closed roads and often next to ex-pros (Alberto Contador and Annemiek van Vleuten were both on the start line for the 2024 event). 

The event’s original route was a full lap of the island in June, but now, due to the event’s popularity, the 312km-long route traverses the north of the island, primarily through the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, and takes place in April when the weather is most optimal for cyclists. The event also offers two shorter routes, including a 225km route and 167km route. However, all three routes are challenging in terms of elevation as they include some of Mallorca’s most popular climbs, with the longest course reaches over 5,000 metres of elevation. 

Even though Van Vleuten told Strava that she was “dancing in my cycling shoes” during her first attempt at Mallorca 312, the event is a tough race and can see you out on the course for over 10 hours. But for all the hard work in the saddle, the beauty of the island and the sheer amount of pride people feel crossing the finish line in Playa de Muro is far beyond the leg-burning pain felt climbing Puig Major. 

Do you want the opportunity to test your limits and immerse yourself in Mallorca’s natural beauty during Europe’s most popular Gran Fondo? If so, in this article, we take a look at how you can participate, details of the three routes, what your registration will include, and all the essential information you need to take part in this extraordinary event. 

Riders cycling the Mallorca 312 sportive

When will Mallorca 312 take place in 2025? 

The 15th edition of Mallorca 312 will take place on Saturday April 26, 2025

How to enter Mallorca 312

You must enter to take part in Mallorca 312 and entries on Mallorca 312’s website open October 8, 2024 at 11am CET/10am BST. Be warned, the 2024 edition sold out extremely quickly (just six minutes), so make sure you are on the website when the entries open. 

Another route to enter the event is through a travel agent, who run package trips from three to seven days long, which includes guaranteed entry to the event. 

If you do miss out on securing a bib number for Mallorca 312, you can still register and be added to the event waitlist. 

How much does it cost to take part in Mallorca 312? 

Entry costs €145 and includes a mandatory day licence which is €12. On top of this, you will also need to pay for temporary event insurance unless you are a part of the Spanish Cycling Federation. 

If you do choose to go through a tour operator, all your costs will most likely be included in the price of your tour package. 

What is included in the price of entry?

Included in the cost of your entry is a goodie bag, official Mallorca 312 jersey, finisher’s medal, digital diploma with result, and a pasta party after the event. It also helps to cover the closing of the roads, signposting of the route, food stations, mechanical support at aid stations, timing service, support vehicles, exhibitors fair, and massage and physiotherapy services. 

Female rider cycling Mallorca 312 sportive

What are the three routes available to ride? 

All routes start and finish in Playa de Muro on the northeast coast of Mallorca and begins at 6:30am, with all route participants starting at the same time. 

312km / 5,050m

The longest and hardest route out of the three, the 312km loop, starts in the northeast and goes along the coast to Port de Pollença, where the route turns left, heading west and climbing into the mountains via Coll de Femenia. The route travels all the way along the north of the island, conquering Puig Major and passing through Sóller until Andratx, the furthest point of the route. It then turns back towards the east and heads through the middle of the island, passing through the towns of Lloseta, Muro, Ariany, and Artà, before riding back along the coast to Playa de Muro. Majority of the elevation is in the first half of the route with the first climb starting at 25.5km and the last at 158km. The second half is undulating, but includes no notably hard climbs, thankfully, for your legs. 

The first cut off time for the 312km course is at 97km and must be crossed by 11:15am, and the second cut off time is at 220km and must be crossed by 4:30pm. The route must be finished by 8:05pm. 

225km / 3,973m 

The middle distance route is very similar to the 312km course, however, after Lloseta, the 225km route heads straight on to Playa de Muro, where the finish is located. The majority of the route crosses the entire length of the Tramuntana mountains to Andratx once again, climbing Puig Major, Coll den Claret, and Coll de sa Gramola. The final climb of the day is located at 150.2km, but once the route crests this climb, there is no big climb to tackle for the rest of the route. 

There is only one time cut off point for the 225km route, and this is at 97km and must be crossed by 11:15am. The entire route must be completed by 5:05pm.

167km / 2,475m 

The shortest out of the three, the 167km route starts in Playa de Muro and follows the same course as the other distances along the coast and up into the mountains, passing through Lluc and Sóller and includes Puig Major. However, the route veers off to Espories at 100km and heads back to the finish line on the coast. 

There is a cut off time at 98km and this must be crossed by 11:25am and the route must be completed by 5:05pm. 

Rider celebrating finishing Mallorca 312 sportive

Which is the closest airport? 

Palma International Airport is the only airport on the island and is 40 minutes drive by car from the start in Playa de Muro on the northeast coast of the island. 

Where to stay

There are plenty of places to stay in Mallorca, but with the event being so popular, it is advised to book your accommodation as soon as possible. The best place to stay is near the start in Playa de Muro as the event starts early in the morning and you might not feel like riding your bike back to the hotel after a long day on the bike. If you cannot get booked in here, nearby is Port d’Alcúdia, Alcúdia, Can Picafort, and slightly further away is Port de Pollença. 

Where to collect your Mallorca 312 bib number 

Before taking to the startline, all participants must pick up their own bib number from the EXPO Mallorca 312 | OK Mobility located at Avenida s'Albufera, number 33. This is also where you’ll be able to pick up your race extras, such as jersey and goodie bag. 

Explore Photos: The Adventure Bakery Words: India Paine


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