In brief:
- The 2026 Roc d’Azur ran from 7 to 11 October in Fréjus, Roquebrune-sur-Argens and Saint-Raphaël: its 42nd edition.
- Pre-registration for the 2027 Roc d’Azur is already open on the time to platform, ahead of the official dates and the opening of final registration.
- Required documents vary by event: an FFC licence or a medical certificate less than 6 months old for timed mountain bike races, an FFA licence or PPS health questionnaire for trail events, no document at all for non-timed rides.
- Electric mountain bikes remain banned from almost every timed event, except the Enduroc Électrique and the non-timed rides whose name includes the word Rando.
What is the Roc d’Azur, and why plan ahead for 2027?
The Roc d’Azur is a mountain bike gathering held since 1984 in the Var department, based at the Base Nature François Léotard in Fréjus and spreading across the towns of Roquebrune-sur-Argens and Saint-Raphaël. It takes place every year in early October, between the Maures and Estérel mountain ranges, bringing together timed races, family-friendly rides and an exhibition village dedicated to cycling and the outdoors over several days.
The 2026 edition has only just wrapped up, which makes now the right moment to start planning for 2027: booking accommodation, scheduling training and checking equipment well ahead rather than leaving it to the last minute.
What stood out at the 2026 edition
The 2026 edition ran from 7 to 11 October, marking its 42nd edition. It confirmed the Roc d’Azur’s status as a major fixture on the French mountain bike calendar, with Jordan Sarrou taking a sixth consecutive win and Paul Seixas lining up the day after his Tour of Lombardy victory. In the Roc Marathon, Léna Gérault won the women’s race. Results, published the same evening on the organiser’s website for every race, give a sense of the competitive level on the timed events, alongside the far more accessible non-timed rides.
When will the 2027 Roc d’Azur take place?
The precise dates for the 2027 edition had not been officially announced by the time the 2026 edition closed. The organiser did, however, open a pre-registration form right after the event so riders can be notified first when registration opens. Based on previous editions, the Roc d’Azur traditionally runs in early to mid-October, over a five-day window covering bib pickup and several days of racing and riding.
Booking accommodation early is especially useful in this stretch of the Var coast, a popular destination in early October between the end of summer and the autumn half-term break.
How to register for the 2027 Roc d’Azur?
Registration runs exclusively through the time to platform, taking only a few minutes, with a double confirmation by email (one for registration, one for payment). For the 2026 edition, registration stayed open until 4pm the day before the event, subject to availability. The event rules also state that bib transfers and resales are not allowed, which makes pre-registration all the more useful to secure a spot as soon as registration opens.
The different events on offer
The Roc d’Azur offers a wide range of events, timed or not, to suit every level:
- Timed mountain bike races (cross-country, Roc Marathon, Gravel Roc), sanctioned by the French Cycling Federation (FFC)
- Timed trail running races (Roc Trail 30K and 50K), sanctioned by the French Athletics Federation (FFA)
- Non-timed rides: Rando VTT, Rando Électrique, Rando Gravel, Marche
- Children’s events: Kid Roc Draisienne and Kid Roc Mini
- Dog events: Cani-VTT and Cani-cross
Which documents are required for each event?
The supporting documents required depend directly on the type of event. For timed mountain bike races, a valid FFC licence is enough; failing that, a Module Santé health clearance obtained online at licence.ffc.fr (valid for 4 months) or a medical certificate less than 6 months old is accepted. For trail events, the logic is the same with an FFA licence, a PPS QR code or a medical certificate. Non-timed rides require no document at all.
Document requirements by event type
| Event type | Federation | Accepted document |
|---|---|---|
| Timed mountain bike (XC, Marathon, Gravel Roc) | FFC | FFC licence, Module Santé clearance (under 4 months) or medical certificate (under 6 months) |
| Trail (Roc Trail 30K / 50K) | FFA | FFA licence, PPS QR code or medical certificate (under 6 months) |
| Rando VTT / Rando Électrique / Rando Gravel / Marche | None | No document required |
| Cani-VTT / Cani-cross | FFC / FFA | Same rules as the matching event, plus the dog’s up-to-date vaccination record |
For the 2026 edition, the online deadline to upload these documents was 20 September, about three weeks before the event. A similar schedule should be expected for 2027, to be confirmed once official dates are published.
Which bike should you choose for your first Rando Roc?
For a first, non-competitive Rando VTT, a full-suspension mountain bike remains the most comfortable choice thanks to its front and rear suspension, which better absorbs uneven terrain over a long ride. A hardtail works just as well, since the Roc d’Azur’s ride routes are not known for being technical or rough: the full comparison between the two is covered in our guide on full-suspension and hardtail mountain bikes.
The question of electric mountain bikes deserves close attention before signing up. The event rules are strict on this point:
“Electric mountain bikes are only allowed on events whose name includes the word RANDO, and on the Enduroc Électrique. Riding an electric bike at an event that does not meet these criteria will result in the rider’s disqualification.” Source: Roc d’Azur CIC rules, 2026 edition
An e-MTB is therefore perfectly suited to the Rando Électrique, but entirely excluded from the standard timed races. The criteria to check before buying or renting a model for the occasion (motor, torque, battery range) are covered in our guide on choosing an electric mountain bike.
Canyon, a partner of the 2026 edition through its Spectral:ON model, offers a range of electric mountain bikes built precisely for this mix of riding and rough terrain.
How to plan the logistics on the day?
Bib pickup takes place at the Base Nature François Léotard, on presentation of the registration QR code, an ID document and, if required, the medical certificate. For the 2026 edition, pickup ran from Wednesday to Saturday, with no pickup available on Sunday, the event’s final day. A bike storage area is available on site, priced at 2 euros per day and 5 euros per night, with proceeds going to the local AMSLF club.
Optional personal accident insurance and cancellation insurance are offered at registration, useful for riders travelling from further afield, since the event rules rule out any refund outside this cover. Race photos go online the week after the event on the Sportograf platform, and results are published the same evening for each race.
For riders who want to arrive at the start line ready, whether for a timed race or a simple Rando Roc, a structured training plan in the weeks beforehand, for instance on an indoor bike trainer when the weather doesn’t cooperate, remains the best way to enjoy the course without any bad surprises on the day. For those planning to replace or upgrade their bike before the event, the points to check before ordering are covered in our article on buying a bike online, including frame size and after-sales service.
Frequently asked questions
How to prepare for the 2027 Roc d'Azur?
Preparing for the 2027 Roc d’Azur comes down to three steps: pre-registering on the time to platform, already open since the 2026 edition closed, picking an event that matches your level among the timed races and the non-timed rides, then gathering the required paperwork (licence or medical certificate depending on the event). The bike also needs checking or adapting, especially regarding electric mountain bikes, which are banned from most timed races.
When will the 2027 Roc d'Azur take place?
The official dates for the 2027 edition had not been announced by the time the 2026 edition closed, which ran from 7 to 11 October 2026 in Fréjus. Pre-registration is nonetheless already open on the organiser’s website, to be notified first when official registration opens.
Do you need a medical certificate to take part in the Roc d'Azur?
It depends on the event. Timed mountain bike races require an FFC licence, a Module Santé health clearance less than 4 months old, or a medical certificate less than 6 months old. Non-timed rides (Rando VTT, Rando Électrique, Rando Gravel, Marche) require no supporting document at all.
Can you ride an electric mountain bike at the Roc d'Azur?
Electric mountain bikes are banned from timed events, except for the Enduroc Électrique. They are only allowed on events whose name includes the word Rando, such as the Rando Électrique, which carries no ranking.