More than 700 cyclists from 25 countries ride Istria Gran Fondo

The cycling weekend in northwestern Istria started on Friday when the first time trial race for amateurs and masters was held in Croatia.

The best in the women’s categories was Laura Simenc (SLO) who covered 19 km in 28 minutes and 30 seconds. Her compatriot Petra Pasar won the F35-39 category to take overall silver while Czech Monika Veitova got the bronze.

The best in the men’s categories was Diego Venturi (ITA), who covered the same route as the women in 25 minutes and 30 seconds, beating David Polzer (AUT) and Martin Helcel (CZE) by respectively 11 and 12 seconds.

On Saturday the main event of the weekend took place with a granfondo and mediofondo.

In strong international competition with 25 different nationalities at the start, Johnny Hoogerland (AUT) outsprinted Matic Zumer (SLO) after a break with two for half of the race. Michal Kollert (CZE) got overall third.

Laura Simenc, reigning world champion in Granfondo was the fastest female. Her nearest opponents Angelika Tazreiter (AUT) and Petra Pasar (SLO) finished in further groups.

In the mediofondo distance, counting as qualifier for all men 60+ and women 50+, the overall win was for Andrea Chiminello (ITA) with Giovanni Lattanzi (ITA) as fastest male in the categories qualifying for the World Championships. First female was Michela Gorini (ITA).

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