STAGE 1

On Stage 1 an urban mountain biking adventure awaits on Lošinj. Bike lanes, footpaths, narrow streets through ancient towns, and sections of road mix with technical singletracks to create a diverse and thrilling ride.

Starting in Mali Lošinj and taking in Mali Lošinj to the route remains in the southern portion of the island. The day begins with a loop of the Čikat peninsula and after a flat, fast, start the climbing commences at the 18-kilometre mark. The next 4 kilometres are all uphill, passed the Umpiljak and Kalvarija peaks, as well as Crkva sv. Ivan (the Chapple of St. John the Baptist) to the highest point of the day just below the Grgoščak peak. The climb is entirely on asphalt, but it is very steep in places. Not as steep however as the descent to Plaža Plieski on the coast. A brief traverse above the bay provides a moment of respite before a steep climb leads teams back to 240 metres above sea level, near Grgoščak, and a long descent into more urban racing in Vali Lošinj. This scintillating singletrack descent ends in a seafront ride around Rovenska Bay and the harbour before the climb back over the spine of Lošinj. The next singletrack descent features a jump line, which can be safely rolled too, so riders are advised to ride within their skill limits. At this point, you have done all the action work on the course. Just pedal to the finish line. We will leave your choice of how fast it is going to be.