After a cold, rain-soaked first night at the Atlas Mountain Race 2026, riders emerge from darkness into morning light scattered across the High Atlas. Frigid temperatures, flooded roads, and icy descents define the opening hours of the race, forcing decisions around shelter, sleep, and when to keep moving.
In villages along the early tarmac corridor, riders gather briefly around wood stoves, cafés, and petrol stations — drying socks, warming hands, fixing mechanicals, and weighing fatigue against momentum. Some push on through the night, others pause for rest, all navigating the consequences of an unusually harsh start.
As daylight reveals snow-covered peaks and saturated landscapes, bringing with it a renewed spirit for our riders. The lead riders reach Checkpoint 1, while much of the field continues to funnel through towns toward their first stamp.
Riders featured in this episode:
Dotwatch the 2026 Atlas Mountain Race
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Hosted and produced by Mel Webb
Sound design by Ben Crannell
Cover image by Lloyd Wright
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