3600 participants from over 40 nations turned out for Croatia’s monumental Istria 300 gran fondo on Saturday, with 3x MTB World Champion Alban Lakata taking top honors in the city of Porec.

The 45 year-old Austrian, who was the Guest of Honor, did not take it easy rolling along and visiting with participants. He was on the pointy end of the peloton all day. He finished the demanding 300 kilometer route in 8:44:52 after defeating breakaway companion Hans-Jorg Leopold at the stripe. Mitja Drinoec was next, ten minutes back.

2022 Otztaler champion Catherine Rossmann, 35, was the first woman, taking victory in 10:14:36 after finishing in second place last year. Fellow German Elisabeth Fladerer was next two seconds behind. 15 minutes later Carmer Moser earned third place.

In the 235km medio fondo Astrid Schartmuller and Marko Emersic won, with Valerie Rupitsch and Gerald Grunder triumphant in the shorter 155km piccolo race.

The 2025 Istria 300 is planned on 27 August from the Adriatic coastal city of Porec.

Istria 300 results HERE

Photo Credit: Facebook/Istria300

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