With over 30 timed enduro stages, over six days of racing, the Trans-Madeira is a bucket-list event for a lot of riders. The stages cross the Portugese islands of Madeira and Porto Santo through volcanic ridgelings, ancient forest, wet slabs and dusty coastal trails. It’s a true test of endurance and determinatino.
And in 2026, the Canadian women, kicked some serious butt.
When six days were over and every stage was race, Emmy Lan was in second place overall. Georgia Astle took third and Kirsten Van Horne finished fourth overall in the elite women’s classification.
Only Germany’s Helen Weber managed to beat the Canadians to take first place.
Lan loving every minute of it
After the opening stages, Lan posted on social media with a glowing review of the race.
“Some proper enduro, all sorts of different stages, insane views and great company,” Lan wrote after Days 1 and 2. “Think this might just be the most fun I’ve ever had racing.”
That attitude showed in the results too. She was riding strong from the start, and got better throughout the week. She won Day 4, Day 5 and Day 6.
Astle rampaged
The two-time Red Bull Rampage medalist returned to enduro racing with a solid week on the bike. Placing third three times and second three times to put her in the third place overall. her overall time was only 38 seconds behind Lan.
Van Horne finding speed every day
Van Horne’s week started with survival mode. Day 1 brought wet conditions and seven slippery stages that immediately punished mistakes and tested riders before the race had even settled in.
“The first day was quite the intro with a super wet day of seven stages,” Van Horne wrote. “My goal was to just stay on the bike.”
From there though, the Canadian kept building speed as the week progressed.
“Over the last few days it’s been super fun to keep pushing and seeing my times get faster,” she said. “Even getting second in a handful of stages.”
By the end of the week, Van Horne had quietly climbed into fourth overall.
Elite women overall – Trans Madeira 2026
1. Helen Weber (Germany) – 2:42:35.6
2. Emmy Lan (Canada) – 2:46:00.2
3. Georgia Astle (Canada) – 2:46:38.8
4. Kirsten Van Horne (Canada) – 2:53:37.1
5. Shelly Flood (Australia) – 2:58:41.5
6. Hollie Faith Vayro (Great Britain) – 3:17:33.8
7. Katie May (Great Britain) – 3:24:18.6
Canadian men
Let’s face facts; finishing a race like this is no small feat. And while Canadian men didn’t make…
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