There are races that are measured by the stopwatch and others that, even before the result, remain in the memory for the places they pass through. HERO Südtirol Dolomites definitely belongs to both categories.
Mountain biking in the heart of the Dolomites means experiencing one of the most captivating Alpine environments in the world. Climbs, descents, altitude, and exertion combine to transform the competition into something more: the allure of the views, the sheer scale of the mountains, and the adrenaline rush of having a race number on your bike become part of the same experience.
It is perhaps here that one of the most profound characteristics of mountain biking emerges. The challenge is against your opponents and the clock, but above all it is within yourself and your ability to interpret what the mountains offer. Managing your effort, reading the terrain, knowing when to push and when to conserve energy. In an environment like the Dolomites, the biker doesn't dominate the trail: they must learn to connect with it.
From Claudia Peretti's victory to HERO 2027
The 2026 edition also reminded us how much the HERO remains a real, tough and selective race. In the women's Elite race, held on 60 kilometers with 3.200 meters of altitude difference, it was the one that prevailed Claudia Peretti, Italian Marathon champion, who finished in 3h53'48”9 after taking the lead from the first climb towards Passo Gardena and defending it until the finish.
Now the gaze shifts to the June 12, 2027, when the 17th edition of the HERO Südtirol Dolomites will take place in Selva Val Gardena. And this time, alongside the traditional individual dimension, there will be a new feature designed especially for the wider world of amateurs: HERO Team.
The idea is simple: to the personal challenge is added the collective one.
HERO Team is born
HERO Team introduces a new ranking dedicated to clubs and groups of bikers. A new ranking will be established six results, divided between men and women on the three routes of the event: 86, 71 and 60 kilometers.
In the men's results the team result will be determined by the sum of the four best overall times obtained by athletes of the same team on the same course. For the women's ranking, the times of two athletes.
A formula that adds an interesting component to the HERO: each individual performance will continue to have its own value, but can simultaneously contribute to the group's result.
And it's a dynamic particularly close to the spirit of amateur mountain biking. Behind every single biker is often a club, the friends they hang out with throughout the year, the hours of shared training, the trips to races, and that sense of belonging that accompanies an entire season.
With HERO Team all of this goes directly into the leaderboard.
10.000 euros in prize money
To accompany the debut of the new formula, the organization has planned a total prize pool of 10.000 euros, distributed among the six results.
For each course and category, the first three teams will be awarded: €1.000 to the winning team, €500 to the second-place team, and €300 to the third-place team..
There is also a promotional window dedicated to the teams: from September 17 to October 17, 2026 Team members can register at a discounted rate. Starting October 18th, additional participants can be added at the normal rates set forth in the regulations.
The new feature also applies to those who have already registered for the HERO Südtirol Dolomites 2027: athletes who have already registered will be able to subsequently join a HERO Team and compete in the new ranking.
A HERO to share
The formula changes, but above all it broadens the way of interpreting the race.
Because reaching Selva Val Gardena after tackling the Dolomites will remain, first and foremost, a personal matter: legs, mind, effort management, and the ability to tackle whatever the route throws at you.
From 2027, however, while each biker will fight their own battle with the mountain, there will also be a result built together.
And this is probably the most interesting part of HERO Team: transforming one of the great competitive experiences of alpine mountain biking into something to be shared even more with the companions with whom, throughout the year, you share trails, fatigue and emotions.
HERO South Tyrol Dolomites 2027
Selva Val Gardena – June 12, 2027
Routes: 86 km, 71 km and 60 km
