The oldest race on the UCI Gran Fondo World Series circuit took place on Sunday 11 June in Slovenia, with over 5000 cyclists participating in Maratona Franja and trying to qualify for the amateur world championships by finishing in the top 25% their age/gender category.

In the 156km gran fondo, local rider and 27 year-old former professional Matec Groslej won from an elite group of six riders in a fierce sprint to the finish line. In a brightly colored lime green and blue Team Hidria jersey, he finished in 3:35:49, followed by Italian Igor Zanetti just a tire’s width behind and Anthony Bilic of Croatia. Last year’s champion and former UCI Gran Fondo World Champion Matej Lovse finished sixth.

Slovenian Erika Jesenko, 27, won the women’s gran fondo handily, finishing almost fifteen minutes ahead of the next rider. Racing for team New Molini Dolo she rode under the finish banner in 3:44:45. Fellow Slovenian Lina Cepak finished second and Lucy Deschamps of Great Britian was third.

Italian Roberto Vidoni won the 97km medio fondo in 2:20:00, with Katrina Novak of Slovenia earning the women’s title in 2:27:57.

Photo Credit: J. Suhadolnik

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