mallorca 312 2025: my experience
It’s been two weeks since I crossed the finish line of the Mallorca 312, and just about long enough for the effects of the dreaded Mallorca31Flu to wear off. I wasn’t the only one either – half the riders I know seemed to come down with it. Now that I’ve stopped coughing and my legs no longer feel like they’re filled with concrete, I wanted to give a proper debrief on the experience. What went right, what went (very) wrong, and what I’d recommend to anyone thinking of doing this beast of a sportive next year.
For those unfamiliar, the Mallorca 312 takes place on the last Saturday of April and is one of Europe’s biggest closed-road sportives. There are three distances: 167, 225, and of course, the full 312km. The route doesn’t do a full lap of the island anymore – apparently Palma traffic is too chaotic to shut down – but it keeps the best bits: the length of the MA-10 through the Tramuntana mountains, a few inland climbs, and, if you’re doing the full 312, a long, soul-destroying flat loop through Mallorca’s farm roads to finish.
This year was my second attempt. I live in Mallorca and ride here regularly, but I hadn’t trained properly due to an ongoing leg issue that flares up without warning. I was nervous about whether I’d even make it to the first aid station without my legs giving out. Fortunately, they held up. Unfortunately, that was about the only thing that went to plan.
The day started with a 4:30am alarm and a dash to Playa de Muro in the rain. Yes, rain. Biblical stuff. We were huddled in pens by 5:30am, teeth chattering. Some people were in skin suits (madness), others in painter’s overalls (weirdly genius). The gun went off at 6:30am and I rolled out five minutes later from the green pen. That pen positioning turned out to be a big advantage – fewer bottlenecks, less chaos. If you're booking through a tour provider, make sure they get you in a decent pen.
The first 50km or so flew by. The sun broke through, the roads started drying, and spirits lifted. The early climbs of Femenia and Puig Major were manageable. I skipped the first aid station because I was well-stocked, which I highly recommend if you’re near the front. Apparently it gets chaotic later on.
Then came the long, rolling section inland. This is where I began to unravel. My nutrition plan – if you can call it that – was a mess. Normally I rely on peanut butter and jam sandwiches, Haribo, and carb drink powder. But at the expo I met the team from Meabar (lovely people, based on the island) who kindly gave me a load of gels and bars to try. Big mistake. Not because of the products – they were great – but because I’d never used them before. 50g carb gels are no joke if your gut isn’t used to them. I took one too fast, felt a bit queasy, and then just avoided eating for too long. The knock-on effect was grim.
By the time I reached Galilea I was crawling. People were flying past me and I was tapping along at 180 watts, wondering why I ever signed up. A guy I was chatting to on the climb really helped snap me out of my funk. That’s one of the best things about this event: the camaraderie. Talk to people. It helps.
At the bottom of Es Grau I stopped for a sandwich and a sit-down. Low point of the day: witnessing a grown man wiping himself behind a portaloo while I was trying to eat a Nutella sandwich. Things can only go up from there.
After that, I found a bit of rhythm. Rolled into Arta, got a huge lift from the crowds (massive shout out to the local spectators, especially the kids cheering for bottles), and from there just slogged it out to the finish. But honestly? The final 90km after the 225 turn-off are dull. Flat, exposed, zigzaggy farm lanes. It felt like it would never end.
I finished. Eventually. And I’m glad I did it. But here’s the honest truth: I wouldn’t do the full 312 again. The 225 is the sweet spot. You get all the best climbs, all the atmosphere, and none of the four-hour death march at the end.
A few practical bits: the aid stations are generally good. About nine in total. If you're near the front, they’re well-stocked and easy to access. If you’re further back, brace yourself for chaos. The sandwiches are solid. Take your own salt and carb drink mix if you’re picky.
If you need to rent a bike, book months in advance. Every decent hire bike on the island is taken by race week. I recommend Bike Island Mallorca – great service, top-end bikes, and they sponsor the channel, so use code SAM5 for a discount.
In terms of gearing, I ran a 50/34 with an 11-34 cassette. That was perfect. Mallorca climbs aren’t steep, but by hour 10, you’ll want every gear you can get. Don’t be fooled into thinking the climbing ends after the mountains – there are some sharp little kickers in the back half that bite.
Would I recommend the 312? Yes, but with caveats. If you’re well-trained, have your nutrition dialled, and want to push your limits, go for it. But don’t underestimate it. This isn’t a casual day out. It’s a war of attrition. If you’re unsure, sign up and decide on the day whether to go for 167, 225 or 312. You can always call it early.
As for me? I’ll be back next year. But I’ll be doing the 225, eating my own sandwiches, and leaving the big gels to the pros.
Let me know if you have any questions (unless they’re stupid).
