Embargoed areas

Embargoed Areas until 28th May 2026.
The areas marked on the map are embargoed for all orienteering activities, unless specifically permitted by the organiser.
The embargoed areas are out of bounds for all potential participants and team members, including competitors, team leaders, coaches, doctors, escorts, and any other person with a potential connection to a team (athletes or others).
This means that all potential participants and team members are not allowed to visit these areas with or without a map at all, regardless of whether it is an orienteering activity or a training session, a walk with the dog or a leisurely Sunday stroll.
Almeida city center may be visited on foot or by car without an orienteering map; any orienteering or MTBO activity, cycling, running, using a map or testing route choices are forbidden.

Classes

EMTBOC, World Cup – WOMEN, MEN
EYMTBOC – W17, M17
EJMTBOC – W20, M20

Competitors representing member federations of the IOF, defined by the International Olympic Committee as belonging to the European continent, can compete in the EMTBOC. Competitors representing other member federations of the IOF can participate in EMTBOC but will not be eligible for European titles, medals or diplomas.
All competitors must be citizens of the country of the federation they are representing. Competitors participate at their own risk.
Third-party insurance and personal injury insurance are compulsory and are the responsibility of the competitors’ federation or themselves.

European MTB Orienteering Championships, MTB Orienteering World Cup

There is one class for women (WOMEN) and one for men (MEN). There are no age restrictions. Each federation may enter up to 6 women and 6 men for all individual competitions, plus the current World Champions and European Champions in each format (distance).
Additionally, each federation may enter up to a further 2 women and 2 men, who qualify for the Women U23 and Men U23 classes respectively, in each individual competition.
In the Mixed Relay, each federation may enter a maximum of 4 teams of 3 riders.
Each team must include at least 1 woman.
Each federation may enter a maximum of 5 team officials. Each competitor must have a valid IOF Athlete Licence.
Each competitor must have a valid IOF Athlete Licence.

European Youth MTB Orienteering Championships

There is one class for women (W17) and one for men (M17). Only competitors who were born in 2009 or later are entitled to compete in these classes.
Each federation may enter a maximum of 6 competitors in each class for all individual competitions. The organising federation may have 2 additional competitors as official EYMTBOC competitors in the individual competitions.
These competitors must start in the lowest-ranked start group. In the Relay, each federation may enter up to 2 teams of 3 riders per class

European Junior MTB Orienteering Championships

There is one class for women (W20) and one for men (M20). Only competitors who were born in 2006 or later are entitled to compete in these classes.
Each federation may enter a maximum of 6 competitors in each class for all individual competitions. The organising federation may have 2 additional competitors as official EJMTBOC competitors in the individual competitions. These competitors must start in the lowest-ranked start group.
In the Relay, each federation may enter up to 2 teams of 3 riders per class.

Public Races

Open competitions will be offered.

There are 4 classes
Easy short and Easy long
Difficult short and Difficult long

For the mixed relay
Popular (3 athletes)

Terrain description

Information will be provided soon

Maps

Information will be provided soon

Competition Rules

The competition will be conducted in compliance with the rules in effect at the time of the event:

General MTBO rules

  • Competitors must get to all control points with their bikes.
  • The bicycle must be with the competitor at all times.
  • Wearing a rigid safety helmet is compulsory during competitions and training sessions.
  • It is forbidden to use roads or tracks marked with purple crosses or a purple zigzag line on the map.
  • Riding outside the mapped area during the competition is not allowed.
  • National traffic rules must be followed.

Non-compliant competitors or competitors who break any rule may be disqualified.

Punching and time-keeping

SPORTident Air+. a system for contactless punching with SI Active Cards (SIAC) with a working range of 150 – 180 cm will be used. Competitors may use their own SIAC. Rental SIACs will be available from the organisers.
One extra SIAC (Backup card) may be used by the athlete, it should contain all the correct punches to be accepted in case of the main card failure.
Participants are advised to study the Guidelines SPORTident AIR+ in MTBO, which are available here.

Wining times

Winning times in minutes (according to the IOF MTBO Competition Rules)

Format (distance)M/W 21M/W 20M/W 17
Long/Mass start75-8584-9270-75
Middle50-5540-4432-37
Sprint20-2516-2015-20
Relay40-45 / 120-13535-40 / 105-12030-35 / 90-105

Anti-Doping

Doping is strictly forbidden, and the organisers of EMTBOC/World Cup are dedicated to supporting the anti-doping authorities in their work. Doping tests are always carried out in accordance with the procedures described in the WADA International Standard for Testing. The IOF Anti-Doping Rules and the World Anti-Doping Code apply.
Athletes who are selected for the doping tests must bring an official identification (with a photo) to the doping test area. The athlete should also bring along their therapeutic use exemption (TUE) if applicable. In general, it is advisable that the athletes bring along their ID to all competitions and events. For more information and anti-doping documents, please consult: https://orienteering.sport/iof/anti-doping

Training Opportunities

DateEventVenue
18,19 April 2026Long Distance National ChampionshipsAbrantes