Over 7000 riders participated in UCI Gran Fondo Franja, the biggest cycling event in Slovenia, with Italian Manuel Fedele the winner of Sunday’s road race.
The former continental level professional rider completed the 156 kilometers long route in 3:39:38, Slovenia’s Dean Bratus and Matej Lovše finishing second and third respectively. The victory guarantees Fedele a front row starting position at the 2019 UCI Gran Fondo World Champioships in Poznan, Poland in September.
The three riders road clear of a large group just 5km from the finish and held off the chasers by just a few seconds, with Fedele winning the sprint.
En route to the finish riders were were cheered on by thousands of spectators and live music from the band Fire Skulls.
GRAN FONDO DAILY NEWS 