The Tour de France might be over, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait a year for your next fix of cycling excitement. In fact, you won’t have to wait long at all if you head to Croatia, as the country is set to host the NOVA Eroica event for the first time this September.
First held in Gaiole in Tuscany in 1997, the original L’Eroica features vintage attire and bicycles, and is held mostly on unpaved roads. Its modern sister – NOVA Eroica – will be coming to Istria on 21 September.
Around 80% of the route covers gravel roads. Competitors will ride along the Parenzana route, through Brtonigla, Buje, Crveni Vrh, Kanegra, Grožnjan, Oprtalj, Livade and Motovun, taking in the spectacular sights along the way.
Novigrad will be the starting and finish point for all routes, which include the 150km Truffles Route, the 100km Teran route, and the 60km Malvasia route, which is non-competitive. You can still sign up to take on the Malvasia route yourself on the Eroica website.
Alongside catching the action on the road, there will be a three-day festival centred on Novigrad’s EXPO zone, with plenty of food options as well as various exhibitors. Ahead of the race, there will be a MINI bike tour for families, and the Tour Ciclo Club Eroica, which will involve a tour of local farms to try produce.
Direct flights to Pula Airport, which is under an hour away from Novigrad, are available from London (Gatwick, Luton and Stansted), Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham and Glasgow.
More information: eroica.cc/en/nova-eroica-istria