The Croatian seaside resort of Poreč will once again be the starting point for the Istria300 cycling race on 28 September 2024, with the fourth edition taking place a week earlier than before. According to the organisers, 1000 starting places have already been allocated just a few hours after the start of registration. "Over 1000 registrations within the first 24 hours surprised us positively. In order to be able to offer participants the same high level of organisation next year, the starting places will again be limited," says race director Vladimir Miholjević. All three previous editions were sold out. The last time 3000 racing cyclists took to the course was in autumn 2023.
Istria300: Three distances, one entry fee
The concept has remained the same for the fourth edition: three distances but only one entry fee offer complete flexibility. This means you can still decide on the way whether you want to tackle the 155-kilometre course, the 230-kilometre course or the full, eponymous 300-kilometre distance. According to the press release, stars and Olympic champions will be taking part: Ivica Kostelic, Croatian winner of the overall Ski World Cup and slalom world champion, ski jumper Martin Koch, 2006 Olympic team champion with Austria, and former professional cyclist and Paris-Roubaix winner Sonny Colbrelli.
The event is particularly popular with athletes from Austria and Germany, who make up almost 60 per cent of the participants. This is probably due to the date of the race: There are only a few bike races in Germany and Austria at the end of September due to the weather. "When the autumn fog rolls in at these latitudes and the cold sets in, you can extend the summer in Istria and go racing with friends once again," promises the organiser.
Istria300 with a flexible concept
The eponymous 300-kilometre route offers a total of 5200 metres in altitude. The medium distance covers 242 kilometres and 3800 metres in altitude. The shortest distance of 168 kilometres still involves 2400 metres in altitude. The names of the routes will remain the same over the years, even if there are small differences due to route changes. For example, the short route is still called Istria155, even though it covers 168 kilometres.
The amount of the entry fee is not transparent for interested participants: it increases in price depending on the number of registrations. In the so-called "Level 4" it is 119 euros - the cheapest places in "Level 1" were available for 90 euros. The entry fee includes a cycling jersey, catering, timekeeping and a voucher for the "truffle pasta party".
Road bike tours Istria.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
