Over the weekend, Markus Valentin finished the 700-kilometer Montenegro Mountain Madness event in a record-setting 43 hours and 25 minutes. Find a brief recap and photos from the organizers here…

Words and photos by Exploro.cc

The second edition of Montenegro Mountain Madness was nothing short of brutal. Record-breaking heat, rugged terrain, and long, remote stretches made for one of the most demanding races in the Balkans to date. But for Markus Valentin, it looked almost easy.

Crossing the finish line in Risan at 4:25 a.m. on day three, Markus not only took the win, but he also set a new fastest known time (FKT) of 43 hours and 25 minutes, shaving nearly six hours off the previous record. From the outside, Markus’s ride appeared to be a masterclass in calm, consistent performance. While others visibly struggled under the searing heat, Markus never once complained. He didn’t seem to suffer. He just kept moving forward, quietly and relentlessly.

Markus took the lead late on day one after a blistering start by Adrien Liechti. He held it all the way to the finish, but never with full certainty. He didn’t check the tracker map much, and at one point, he mistook the headlight of a distant motorcycle for Adrien chasing him down. That flicker of pressure in the dark above Nikšić pushed him into another gear, even though he unknowingly had over a five-hour gap.

His race strategy was stripped down and efficient. No long, time-consuming meals. No sleep stops. Not even power naps. He rode on sugar, snacks, and sheer momentum. In Plužine, he had his only “real” food (a gas station sandwich) sitting on the pavement, surrounded by groceries and gear, unintentionally putting on a show for curious locals.

His setup was impressively light, including a full power bank he never needed to use. Just days before the race, he discovered a crack in his rear wheel rim. Rather than panic, he patched it with epoxy, crossed his fingers, and raced. It held.

But it wasn’t just physical strength that carried him through. Markus said he drew his motivation from his grandfather, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment. “We choose our battles in ultra cycling,” he said. “But others have no choice. If he can keep fighting, so can I.” He dedicated the ride and the win to him.

For someone unsure he could handle “the no sleep thing,” Markus made it look effortless. No drama, no spirals, no outbursts. Just quiet, steady grit all the way through. He crossed the finish line smiling. Calm, tired, but not broken. Then he sat down, started to feel the sleep kick in, and let the weight of it all land.

Congratulations to Markus Valentin, your 2025 Mad King and the new record holder of Montenegro Mountain Madness!

Visit Montenegro Mountain Madness on Instagram to see more updates from the event.

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