The eighth edition of the CRO Race, which will be held from September 26 to October 1, is once again run through six stages, and this year it has been enriched by the inclusion of two island locations. Novalja thus became the first island goal, and in addition to the island of Pag, cyclists will also ride around Krk, which will host the start of the fifth stage. The starts and ends of the stages are already well-known locations – picturesque cities and regions that await domestic and foreign competitors and visitors.
Unlike the last edition, when the race started in the east of Croatia, this year’s first stage will be on the route Primošten-Sinj, the second will go from Biograd na Moru to Novalja, the third will connect Otočac and Opatija, the fourth will connect Krk and Labin, Crikvenica and Ozalj will be the start or finish of the fifth stage, and the final sixth stage will traditionally run from Samobor and end in Zagreb.
Thanks to the route longer than 1000 kilometers that connects the continent with the sea, the most beautiful image of Croatia will once again be sent to the world, emphasizing the beauty of its diversity and the richness of its cultural heritage. The race is not only a sporting event, but also plays a significant role in the promotion of Croatia as a desirable (cycling) tourist destination that can attract cycling professionals as well as enthusiasts, recreationalists and explorers on two wheels.
The importance of the race in positioning Croatia’s tourism and economy, but also in promoting its cultural-historical heritage and natural beauty, was also recognized this year by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Croatian Tourist Board, the City of Zagreb, and the Croatian Electric Industry, which have followed and supported the project from the very beginning. There are also the Ministry of the Interior, the Directorate of Police, the Croatian Olympic Committee, the Croatian Cycling Association and many other numerous partners and sponsors.
The sports part of the race will be at a high level again this year, with the expected performances of several of the world’s best teams from the UCI WorldTeams category. In previous editions of the race, well-known aces, such as Mark Cavendish, Vincenzo Nibali, Jonas Vingegaard, who have illustrated the strength of the competition in this recognized competition, have participated in the previous editions of the race. There will be no shortage of excitement because the participation of top cyclists is the ideal recipe for a dynamic race and a tense fight for victory.
The affinity towards the presentation of sports excellence and the variety of routes make the race interesting not only for the competitors, but also for the spectators who have the opportunity to see the competitors up close, which further increases the attractiveness and colorful atmosphere of the CRO Race. In addition to presenting the audience with the charms of professional cycling, CRO Race also brings a series of accompanying activities. As part of the fourth consecutive Kids CRO Race, the youngest visitors will be able to test their cycling skills on virtual simulators in a virtual race.
