On Sunday 18 October, the Gulf of Porto takes to two wheels. The L'Alpana association is organising the Maistrale, a 101 km sportive with 2,200 metres of climbing, starting at 10am from Porto marina and finishing in Ota.
Maistrale is the Corsican name for the mistral, the north-westerly wind. On this course, though, it's the climbing that will mess up your hair: luckily, the hairdresser is back in Porto.
The programme
- Date: Sunday 18 October 2026.
- Start: 10am, Porto marina.
- Finish: Ota.
- Course: 101 km, 2,200 m of elevation gain.
- Open to riders from all federations.
- Registration: on the Sport N Connect platform.
- The bonus: after the prize-giving, a draw among race numbers to win a gravel bike (Checkpoint ALR 5, 2026 model).
A challenge between sea and mountains
101 km and 2,200 m of climbing: on the roads of the gulf, nothing comes for free. The finish is in Ota, the village perched above Porto.
The event is supported by eight local town halls (Ota-Porto, Évisa, Marignana, Piana, Serriera, Partinello, Osani and Cristinacce), the Spelunca-Liamone community of communes, the Collectivité de Corse, Groupama and the shopkeepers of Ota-Porto. The poster's motto sums up the spirit: “Sport, nature, passion, sharing”.
Coming for the race? Sleep a 10–15-minute walk from the start
Hôtel Le Vaïta is a 10–15-minute walk from Porto marina, where the race starts. Your bike sleeps safely in our locked garage, with an air pump station and a fridge at your disposal: that's what earned us a listing as a bike-friendly place. Arrive on Saturday, rest up, enjoy a proper breakfast and line up at 10am on Sunday, stress-free.
Not a cyclist? Come and cheer
The race starts on Sunday at 10am on Porto marina: the perfect excuse to cheer on the riders before a coffee on a terrace. More events are waiting in our Porto events calendar.
Good luck to all the riders, and may the maistrale be at your back!
