Imagine the last rays of summer sun, the stunning French Mediterranean coast, and the sound of thousands of bike wheels spinning. That’s the scene in Fréjus from Wednesday, 8 October to Sunday, 12 October 2025. The legendary Roc d’Azur CIC is back for its 41st edition, and it’s set to be a massive celebration of all things cycling. With around 20,000 participants expected, it’s not just a race; it’s a five-day festival for anyone who loves getting outdoors. Whether someone is into hardcore mountain biking, chilled-out gravel rides, speedy road cycling, or even trail running, there’s something going on. The whole event kicks off with Génération Roc – Sport for All, an event dedicated to people with physical or intellectual disabilities, setting a brilliant tone for the days ahead.
Meet your heroes in the Village
One of the best things about the Roc d’Azur CIC is the chance to get up close with some proper cycling legends. The event’s Village is where it all happens. It’s buzzing with energy, and this year, the list of guests and ambassadors is seriously impressive. A whole host of champions will be hanging out, ready to chat and share their passion.
It’s almost impossible to name everyone, but here’s a taster of the big names making an appearance:
- At the CIC stand, people can meet professional cyclists Cédrine Kerbaol and Marion Bunel, along with BMX pros Romain Mahieu and Tessa Martinez.
- Over at the Alltricks stand on Friday, the one and only Julien Absalon, a double Olympic champion, will be present. He will also be joined by Lilian Calmejane.
- Ekoï is also hosting Julien Absalon, alongside trial champion Aurélien Fontenoy and downhill legend Cédric Gracia.
- Thule has its own lineup of stars, including the incredible Kilian Bron and triple enduro world champion Isabeau Courdurier.
- And for the gravel fans, former cyclocross champion Steve Chainel will be at the Canyon area after taking on the Canyon Rando Gravel Esterel.
These are just a few of the champions attending. The Village is packed with opportunities to meet these amazing athletes, who are true ambassadors for the sport of cycling.
Sunday’s big race: who’s tipped to win?
The main event, the Roc d’Azur CIC race on Sunday, 12 October, is looking incredibly exciting this year. The 56.6 km course has a new ten-kilometre section, shaking things up for the riders. What makes it even more thrilling is that it’s a wide-open race. The record holder, Jordan Sarrou, is away competing in the World Cup, which means the top spot is anyone’s for the taking.
Sarrou himself shared his thoughts on the iconic race: “For a French mountain biker, the Roc is very important. It’s the last race of the year. The course is technical in places but remains quite rolling. It’s for complete riders. The scenarios are always different, you have to adapt your strategy depending on the race events.” His words perfectly capture the unpredictable nature of this mountain biking challenge. With no clear favourite, the suspense is going to be massive.
The women’s race is also set to be a nail-biter. Last year’s winner, Noémie Garnier, is back to defend her title. She said, “The idea is to finish my season on a high note and have fun. The Roc is something special. During my victory, I enjoyed every kilometer, the atmosphere, the crowd, the sun. It was wonderful.” But she’ll face stiff competition from a strong field, including young German and Italian riders like Adelheid Morath and Chiara Gualandi. The Italians are also showing up in force for the Skoda Roc Marathon, a record-breaking 103.8 km monster of a race. For those who can’t be there, the main race will have a live broadcast on the L’Équipe channel from 8:25 a.m.
Panic over! The Roc Workshop has your back
Picture this: it’s minutes before the start of a big race. Months of training, all leading up to this moment, and then… a technical problem with the bike. It’s every rider’s worst nightmare. But for 2025, there’s a new feature to calm those nerves. The Roc Workshop will have three stands set up right by the starting grids to help participants with any last-minute hitches.
- Shimano: For any mechanical assistance needed.
- Continental: On hand for tyre trouble.
- Motul: Providing cleaning, maintenance, and puncture prevention.
It’s a brilliant addition that shows the organisers are thinking about the riders’ experience from start to finish.
More than just a race: the Village and its activities
While the races are the main attraction, the Village at the Roc d’Azur CIC is the real heart of the event. With 300 exhibitors, it’s the perfect place to check out the latest bikes, gear, clothing, and even holiday ideas. It’s a proper hub of activities where people can wander around, soak up the atmosphere, and get inspired.
But it’s not just about shopping. The partners of the 41st edition have organised loads of fun activities every single day. There’s something for everyone, from a Big Air Bag for daredevils to X Sport shows, skills courses, and a pump track. It’s a genuinely festive vibe, making it a great day out for the whole family, not just the hardcore mountain biking enthusiasts.
Catch the daily broadcast on Vélo Plus TV
For anyone wanting to keep up with all the action and get some behind-the-scenes insights, there’s the CIC x FFC TV show. Hosted at the CIC stand, this daily TV show is a partnership with the French Cycling Federation (FFC) and will be broadcast on Vélo Plus TV.
Presenter Antoine Michelin will be chatting with some of the biggest names in the cycling world.
- Thursday: Yvan Clolus from the French MTB Team will discuss the latest tech in mountain biking.
- Friday morning: Jérôme Krier (FFC) will talk about certified MTB and Gravel areas.
- Friday afternoon: BMX Racing star Romain Mahieu and other guests will chat about the upcoming 2027 UCI Super Worlds.
- Saturday: FFC President Michel Callot and BMX racer Tessa Martinez will highlight the CIC–FFC partnership.
This daily broadcast is a fantastic way to stay connected with everything happening at the Fréjus event, offering expert analysis and interviews throughout the festival. And for those still thinking about joining, registrations are still open.