Between 16 and 20 April, Team Honeycomb’s formidable duo of Kyle Mitchell and Tristan Nortje took part in the 2024 4Islands Race in Croatia.
Over 5 days, cyclists embarked on a journey encompassing 272km and a staggering 6,210m of climbing, traversing through breathtaking landscapes and postcard-perfect villages across the Croatian landscape.
The 4Islands MTB Croatia kicked off with a thrilling Prologue on Krk Island. Spanning 12km with 260m elevation gain, it weaves through Baška’s pebble beach, seaside trails, and forest tracks. Kyle and Tristan enjoyed scenic views of azure waters, limestone hills, and historic landmarks along this dynamic course, finishing 5th in the stage.
The next day, Stage 1 unfolded on Krk Island, offering a diverse 72km course with 1530m elevation gain. With constant climbs and descents, including an early ascent to the race’s second highest point, this stage posed a thrilling challenge. After losing and regaining position throughout the stage, they finished strong in 3rd place.
Stage 2 began with the iconic ferry start from Merag port on Cres Island. After a strong start, Kyle and Tristan suffered a few technical issues with 2 punctures, chairing bolts falling out, and cleats coming loose. Despite the setbacks, they managed to make up some time and finished the stage in 6th place.
Stage 3 was where it all came together. During the thrilling 39km ride around Lošinj Island, featuring a 900m elevation gain, Kyle and Tristan held the lead throughout most of the stage. They managed to keep the other teams at bay and came through the finish line in 1st place!
The final stage boasted the fastest average speeds, and the top few teams were within seconds of one another throughout. Kyle and Tristan flew through the 65km trail on Rab, finishing neck and neck with the Husqvarna team. They ended the stage with an impressive 2nd place, just one second behind 1st place.
All in all, an impressive display from Team Honeycomb at the 4Islands MTB Croatia with three podium finishes.
Stage Results and Finishing Times
- Prologue: 5th place (34:57)
- Stage 1: 3rd place (3:26:47)
- Stage 2: 6th place (4:18:19)
- Stage 3: 1st place (1:36:31)
- Stage 4: 2nd place (2:50:52)
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