How technical is Dartmoor Legend Ultra Sportive?

Dartmoor's rugged roads feature tough climbs like Haytor, multiple Princetown passages with pace checks, and a final steep ascent to Exeter Racecourse.[1][4]

Dartmoor Legend Ultra Sportive Review 2026

[01]

Course Overview

200 mi

Distance

19,700 ft

Elevation

Exeter Racecourse, Kennford, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7XS, England

Location

July 11, 2026

Date

Field Size

--

Entry Cost

+ Google Calendar Download .ics

MORE IN ENGLAND: Dirty Reiver · Étape du Dales · Struggle Dales

[03]

The Course

Brutal figure-eight through Dartmoor National Park featuring iconic granite climbs, coastal roads, and remote moorland traverses. Riders pass Postbridge feedstation three times, Princetown twice, creating rhythm of suffering and recovery across Devon's wild interior.

Signature challenge: 19-hour time limit from 5AM to midnight averaging 10.5mph including all stops - Dartmoor takes no prisoners.

SURFACE COMPOSITION

Course

paved 100%

paved 100%gravel 0%other 0%

?

MILE

Haytor Climb

?

MILE

Princetown Triple Passage

?

MILE

Postbridge Bag Drop Loop

?

MILE

Coastal Rollercoaster

[07]

Training

July 11, 2026 DARTMOOR LEGEND ULTRA SPORTIVE

[08]

Train for Dartmoor Legend Ultra Sportive

RACE DEMAND PROFILE

Durability

10

Climbing

10

VO2 Power

4

Threshold

5

Technical

8

Heat

0

Altitude

8

Race Specificity

8

3 WORKOUTS BUILT FOR THIS RACE

Each workout below is selected from our archetype library based on Dartmoor Legend Ultra Sportive’s specific demands. Click any workout to see the full execution protocol.

Durability Tired VO2max

2.5hr +

VO2max intervals after 2 hours of endurance — power when it matters most.

200 miles. Your legs will beg to quit after 120. This trains the power output you need from mile 130 onward.

Z2 Base 2hr

4m VO2

4m

4m VO2

4m

CD

Gravel Specific Terrain Microbursts

50min +

15-second microbursts every 45 seconds — the relentless terrain-driven surges of gravel.

Dartmoor Legend Ultra Sportive's mixed terrain forces constant power changes. Surge over the rough stuff, settle on the smooth, repeat for 200 miles.

WU 10m

15s

45s

15s

45s

15s

45s

15s

45s

15s

45s

15s

45s

15s

45s

15s

45s

CD

STRUCTURE 10min warm-up → 2 sets of 8×(15sec @ 150% FTP / 45sec @ 65% FTP) / 5min between sets → cool-down

EXECUTION Every 60 seconds, EXPLODE. 15 seconds of maximum power — like hitting a rock garden, a short kicker, or responding to an attack. Then recover just enough to do it again. And again. This is what technical gravel terrain actually feels like: relentless microbursts with incomplete recovery.

POWER Bursts: 140–160% FTP | Recovery: 60–65% FTP

CADENCE Bursts: 100–130rpm (explosive) | Recovery: 85–90rpm

POSITION Standing for every burst. Seated for recovery.

RPE Bursts: 9–10 | Recovery: 3–4 | Cumulative: devastating

RACE-SPECIFIC: DARTMOOR LEGEND ULTRA SPORTIVE

NUTRITION Ultra-distance fueling for 200 miles: 80–100g carbs/hour from mile 1 — don’t wait until you’re hungry. Practice your exact race-day nutrition in every long training ride. Carry backup calories. 200 miles burns 8,000–12,000+ calories — you cannot replace them all, but you must try.

ALTITUDE Dartmoor Legend Ultra Sportive with 19,700ft of climbing, much of it above 8,000ft demands altitude preparation. Arrive 5–7 days early for acclimatization. Expect 5–15% power reduction at altitude. Increase iron intake 4 weeks out. Hydrate aggressively — altitude increases fluid loss by 20–40%.

TERRAIN Highly technical terrain at Dartmoor Legend Ultra Sportive demands practice on similar surfaces. Ride mixed terrain at race-day cadence weekly. Practice cornering, descending, and power delivery on unstable surfaces. Dial in tire pressure before race week — 5 PSI wrong costs you 15+ minutes over 200 miles.

Race Simulation Sector Simulation

1.5hr +

Timed race sectors with transitions — practice racing in segments, not just riding.

Race-pace efforts that mimic Dartmoor Legend Ultra Sportive's demands. Pacing, fueling, and tactical decisions under fatigue. Practice the race before July.

WU 10m

SECTOR 1 12m

TRANSIT

SECTOR 2 6m

TRANSIT

SECTOR 3 12m

TRANSIT

SECTOR 4 6m

TRANSIT

FINAL 8m

CD

STRUCTURE 10min warm-up → 5 sectors (12-6-12-6-8min) at race pace / 4min transit between → cool-down

EXECUTION Each sector is a race within the race. Sector 1: settle into race pace. Sector 2: short, hard — a hill or technical section. Sector 3: sustained power. Sector 4: another hard punch. Final sector: everything you have left. The transits are active recovery — drink, eat, prepare for the next sector.

POWER Long sectors: 90–95% FTP | Short sectors: 105–110% FTP | Transits: 55% FTP

CADENCE Sectors: 88–95rpm | Transits: 80–85rpm (easy spin)

POSITION Race position on sectors. Sit up and eat during transits.

RPE Long sectors: 7–8 | Short sectors: 8–9 | Transits: 3

RACE-SPECIFIC: DARTMOOR LEGEND ULTRA SPORTIVE

NUTRITION Ultra-distance fueling for 200 miles: 80–100g carbs/hour from mile 1 — don’t wait until you’re hungry. Practice your exact race-day nutrition in every long training ride. Carry backup calories. 200 miles burns 8,000–12,000+ calories — you cannot replace them all, but you must try.

ALTITUDE Dartmoor Legend Ultra Sportive with 19,700ft of climbing, much of it above 8,000ft demands altitude preparation. Arrive 5–7 days early for acclimatization. Expect 5–15% power reduction at altitude. Increase iron intake 4 weeks out. Hydrate aggressively — altitude increases fluid loss by 20–40%.

TERRAIN Highly technical terrain at Dartmoor Legend Ultra Sportive demands practice on similar surfaces. Ride mixed terrain at race-day cadence weekly. Practice cornering, descending, and power delivery on unstable surfaces. Dial in tire pressure before race week — 5 PSI wrong costs you 15+ minutes over 200 miles.

FREE

GET THE DARTMOOR LEGEND ULTRA SPORTIVE PREP KIT

12-week training timeline, race-day checklists, packing list, and personalized fueling calculator — unlocked instantly.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

[09]

Race Logistics

Parking

Free parking at Exeter Racecourse venue.

OFFICIAL SITE

NEWS

Latest Coverage

[—]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the climate like at Dartmoor Legend Ultra Sportive?

Starting at 05:00 from Exeter Racecourse in July, riders face variable Devon weather, with one 2025 finisher noting 7-degree chills and dark descents to Exmouth.[1][5]

How are the logistics for Dartmoor Legend Ultra Sportive?

Event HQ at Exeter Racecourse offers free parking, toilets, food, and 4am registration, with five feed stations, chip timing, and broom wagon recovery.[1][3]

How adventurous is Dartmoor Legend Ultra Sportive?

The 200-mile Dartmoor Legend Ultra traverses iconic Dartmoor climbs like Haytor and passes through Princetown three times, delivering the UK's toughest one-day cycling challenge beyond the Yorkshire Beast.[1][3]

How prestigious is Dartmoor Legend Ultra Sportive?

Marketed as tougher than Majorca 312, yet primarily a UK regional sportive without international pro fields or major podium accolades.[1][3]

[11]

Sources & Citations

Research sources used to build this race profile. Always verify details with official race sources before making travel or registration decisions.

Official Official Websitesportivaevents.co.uk/events/dartmoor-legend/
Other Sources Sportivaeventssportivaevents.clubtrac.co.uk/e/moor-to-sea-and-dartmoor-...
Other Sources Timeoutdoorswww.timeoutdoors.com/events/dartmoor-legend-ultra
Other Sources Findaracefindarace.com/events/moor-to-sea-dartmoor-legend
Other Sources Surreycyclingclubsurreycyclingclub.co.uk/blog/dartmoor-legend-ultra-how-ba...

Dartmoor Legend Ultra Sportive

The Ratings

Train for Dartmoor Legend Ultra Sportive

Course Overview

The Course

Racer Reviews

RATE DARTMOOR LEGEND ULTRA SPORTIVE

Training

Train for Dartmoor Legend Ultra Sportive

RACE DEMAND PROFILE

3 WORKOUTS BUILT FOR THIS RACE

GET THE DARTMOOR LEGEND ULTRA SPORTIVE PREP KIT

Race Logistics

Latest Coverage

Similar Races

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the climate like at Dartmoor Legend Ultra Sportive?

How are the logistics for Dartmoor Legend Ultra Sportive?

How adventurous is Dartmoor Legend Ultra Sportive?

How prestigious is Dartmoor Legend Ultra Sportive?

Sources & Citations