Istria300 – ‘Ride Your Limits’ Thrills with Record Number of Participants and Austrian Double Victory
Poreč once again became the stage for the legendary cycling highlight Istria300, held on September 28, 2025, on closed roads throughout Istria. Under the motto ‘Ride Your Limits’, 4,213 cycling enthusiasts took on the challenge and – true to the unique route concept – were able to choose between three distances directly on the course: 300 km, 209 km, or 135 km. The recipe for success of Istria300 once again proved itself in 2025: spectacular scenery, perfect organization, and an unforgettable cycling experience without traffic – an event that unites passionate cyclists from all over Europe.
Sports Stars from Multiple Disciplines at the Start
This year’s Istria300 once again attracted numerous sports celebrities from various disciplines. Among the participants were Austrian double world ski champion Elisabeth ‘Lizz’ Görgl, Olympic biathlon medalist Christoph Sumann, Slovenian ski jumper Robert Kranjic, and Croatian national football assistant coach Vedran Čaluka.
Görgl, who took part in a cycling marathon for the first time since ending her career, was thrilled: “It was my first participation in a cycling marathon since my career ended. I actually wanted to ride the 135-kilometer route, but because it was so beautiful, I felt great, and thought 😉 ‘when else do I get the chance to ride on a closed road – especially with these amazing descents’ – I decided to go for the 209 kilometers. Besides the beauty of the country, I’m impressed by the hospitality and excellent organization and am already looking forward to next year.”
Austrian Double Victory on the 300 km Queen’s Distance
The sporting highlight of the day was the thrilling battle for victory on the 300-kilometer queen’s distance – which ended with an Austrian triple victory.
Daniel Federspiel prevailed after 8:42:18 hours in a dramatic sprint finish against two-time Istria300 winner Hans-Jörg Leopold and Wolfgang Krenn. Federspiel thus continued his impressive winning streak, having already won the Ötztal Cycling Marathon just a few weeks earlier. Among the women, Valerie Rupitsch triumphed in 9:39:02 hours ahead of Annalisa Prato (ITA) and Camilla Berggren (SWE).
Inspiration from Para-Athlete Christian Troger
One of the most emotional stories of the day came from para-athlete Christian Troger from Carinthia. The exceptional athlete took part in Istria300 for the first time this year and completed the entire 300-kilometer route with only one leg in an impressive 11:21:10 hours.
At the finish line, Troger was deeply moved: “It was a dreamlike end to a long season in a paradise-like landscape. A perfectly organized event. The 300-kilometer course demanded everything from me. The steep climbs and undulating profile hardly allow for any rest. I wanted to show with my participation that you can still move forward on one leg if your mind doesn’t give up and you stop setting limits for yourself. Those who believe in themselves can go further than any excuse.”
Valamar as Development Partner
The most important partner of Istria300 is Valamar Riviera. “Valamar has been driving the development of cycling tourism in its destinations for many years,” explains Toni Hrvatin, Head of Destination Product Development. “Investments in bike hotels and bike centers, as well as improvements in cycling infrastructure, have created perfect conditions for cycling tourism. Istria300 helps us position Istria even more strongly on the world map of cycling destinations.” With its long-term strategy, Valamar plays a decisive role in ensuring that Istria is increasingly establishing itself as a leading destination for cycling and active vacations in Europe.
Strongest Nation: Austria
With 2,285 participants, Austria once again represented the largest group among the 4,213 registered starters – an impressive testament to the strong connection between the Austrian cycling community and Istria300.
Sold Out Event – Registration for 2026 Now Open
Istria300 2025 was completely sold out – a clear sign of the event’s continuously growing popularity. The focus is already on the future: registration for the 6th edition of Istria300, which will take place on September 26, 2026, in Poreč, is now open. Early registration is recommended, as enormous interest is again expected for next year’s edition.
