Josh Ibbett’s 2025 Hellenic Mountain Race Video and Bike Check

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compose Guest time Jun 12, 2025 comment 0

Josh Ibbett took fourth place at the 2025 Hellenic Mountain Race in Greece last month, completing the 884-kilometer route in 3 days and 15 minutes. He recently uploaded his self-shot race video and a post-race bike check, which you can watch here…

Words and photos by Josh Ibbett

The Hellenic Mountain Race is the latest addition to the Mountain Race series, exploring the lesser-known Pindus Mountain range in central Greece. Having previously ridden the other events in the series, the Atlas Mountain race and the Silk Road Mountain Race, I was keen to complete the set. Although a relatively short race in the world of ultra cycling at 545 miles (877 kilometres), the standout statistic is a whopping 28,000 metres of elevation gain, which, compressed into the distance, equals almost zero flat miles.

Past editions have been hit with heavy rainstorms and even snow. However, this year, we were relatively lucky with only a morning of persistent rain. Aside from that, it was warm and humid. The main challenge (climbing aside) was resupply later in the race, with almost a day without any shops available. Thankfully, in the first part of the race, there was plentiful resupply with some excellent food choices available. One thing is for sure: the Greeks know how to eat!

From a personal perspective, the race went well. I had managed to piece together some consistent training throughout the spring and started confident in my form. As usual, I tried to ride my own race, concentrating on consistency and not going too hard too early. I settled into the front of the race with seven riders closely bunched together for the first two days. As the event progressed, I kept bumping into riders ahead of me at control points, and despite a small resupply mistake on day three, I lost around half an hour as I backtracked to pick up a day’s worth of supplies to take me to the finish line.

It took a long time to get my body moving on the fourth and final day; a proper meal or even a sandwich would have helped fuel my muscles, but eventually I warmed up and was once more feeling strong heading into the final 100 miles. It turns out I was not the only one suffering, with three of my closest competitors scratching that final day from race ending mechanicals or just pure fatigue. Eventually, I crossed the line just past midnight on the fourth day of the race in fourth position. Frustratingly the final spot on the podium was only 30 minutes ahead by the finish, so I was left rueing wasted time and my resupply mistake on day three, but that’s racing. It not all about pedalling; planning and organisation are equally important.

I’m now looking forward to the final race in the series at the Silk Road Mountain Race in August.