Matic Grošelj (A2U Bikes) won the 45th Maraton Franja BTC City on Sunday 14 June, edging Poland’s Artur Sowinski by one tenth of a second in Ljubljana. The home rider crossed the line in 03:38:05, with Sowinski immediately behind and compatriot Jan Miazga completing the podium 8 seconds later, as the trio set a new course record for the 156km granfondo.
Grošelj, a former Continental-level professional, spent six seasons racing for Ljubljana’s Gusto Santic squad, where he shared the road with a young Tadej Pogačar before the Slovenian superstar’s rise to Tour de France fame. He has since stepped back from full-time racing, but his amateur form has remained sharp throughout 2026. Grošelj won April’s Istria Gran Fondo in Umag and also claimed the overall men’s title at the 2025 L’Étape Slovenia by Tour de France.
In the women’s granfondo, Vesna Alegro Baznik (KD Sprint) took victory in 03:54:15, holding off Pia Bedene Kralj in a sprint finish, with Poland’s Sonia Cięciel third at 4 minutes 10 seconds. The victory continues a strong run of form for Alegro Baznik, who won the women’s category at April’s Krk Gran Fondo in Croatia and finished runner-up to world champion Laura Simenc Kramar at the 2025 L’Étape Slovenia.
In the mediofondo races, Nejc Lumpert led the men’s 97km field home in 02:20:39, while Nadja Nolte topped the women’s race in 02:34:33.
Sunday’s edition again served as a 2026 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships qualifier, with the top 25% of finishers in each age category earning qualification for Niseko, Japan, in August. First run in 1982, Maraton Franja remains one of Slovenia’s most enduring cycling traditions, drawing more than 3,000 riders from over 30 countries to BTC City.
Photo Credit: Maraton Franja
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