And that's a wrap!

Day 3

Day 2

We have some winners!

Day 1

And they're off!

Who to watch?

Preview

__And that’s a wrap!__
Another edition of Istra Land has come to an end, and what a ride it was.
The fourth edition delivered big time: sun-drenched days and jaw-dropping views all around.

![DSC06189](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5gsBmNKZd78EyJeEjsHfG7/ebb072f9847cd8dfc5052ecfa82023ed/DSC06189.jpg)
*photo: sara mogorovic*

Almost every finisher walked (or rode) away stunned by the sheer variety of terrain and landscapes Istria has to offer: from the fast, open gravel stretches near Rasa, to the singletracks of Premantura, all the way to the rocky climbs of Veprinacka.
Some managed to check in at CP2 just in time for an epic sunset over Kamenjak, while others were lucky enough to ride past wild horses in the Učka Nature Park.

![DSC06114](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/29fSa5qodTQgtQPZOhcpHs/1046c95a078451e3a2bdb192f108a888/DSC06114.jpg)![DSC06114]
*photo: sara mogorovic*

This is exactly what makes ultracycling , and bikepacking in general ,  so special. The constant shifts in scenery and terrain, the total loss of time awareness, when sunrises and sunsets blur into one and there’s no real "day" or "night" anymore. Sleep isn’t a full-on event, it’s a power nap on a random bench for a few hours... or mostly just a few minutes.
Sun, rain, heat, cold, humidity , these wild changes can add to the adventure, but let’s be honest, staying dry and fresh is always better. Luckily, this year the weather was on our side compared to last time. Even CP1 on top of Mount Vojak  which is almost always shrouded in clouds  gave riders a rare, crystal-clear view that totally made the climb worth it.

![DSC05585](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2FPq1ENg2mMXwjbdY61Yrr/c80f846f92dbc0015765d59064193ad4/DSC05585.jpg)
*photo: sara mogorovic*

Over 310 riders made it to the finish line. We’ll need a few more days for the full official rankings and exact times, but a huge shoutout already goes to Adam Jordan and Nicolò Ferrazzo for sharing the top spot! As Nicolò wrote it, they found an instant rhythm and synced up perfectly on pacing and rest, sticking together right through to the end.
Honourable mention to Francesco Vettore, who absolutely smashed it by himself in the final 200km to lock in third place.
Massive props also to Cathrin, Luise, and Pia who took the top spots in the women’s category  and did it with some truly emotional finishes.

![Schermata 2025-09-30 alle 13.05.30](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5JGnrK67fvsxhiTEGmowZD/27a3467436285dfce044cd3b86dc90ab/Schermata_2025-09-30_alle_13.05.30.png)
*photo: nils laengner*

This year’s event once again lived up to the Istra Land motto: “Last long ride of the summer.”
Now it’s time to recover, wash the bike, and start dreaming up the next big adventure.
Hope you enjoyed following the dots and the DotWatcher updates.
Thanks to everyone who read along and hopefully  see you on the road sometime soon. Maybe even at Istra Land 2025 ;)

Ride safe!


Another day has passed in Istra Land, another day with great temperatures and sunsets along the coast that never fail to leave all participants in awe.

![IL-sunset](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6qlpK5uZO2WslYapDnov1v/65d024435564a85fdfda9ae5dc2be938/Schermata_2025-09-29_alle_13.11.44.png)
*photo: exploro.cc*

![IL25](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6tMj5qGprWF6BD4WrkyEd1/7d0cec6c3846ceee7a4afedc8900ab5a/Schermata_2025-09-29_alle_13.11.19.png)
*photo: sara mogorovic*

At Basovizza, finishers keep arriving non-stop. Surely tired, but all with big satisfied smiles on their faces.

There are still around 40 participants out on the course, pushing their limits. We can’t wait to see you cross the finish line!

The women's podium has finally taken shape. Cathrin Beubler crossed the finish line today at 3:38 PM, taking first place!
She said she didn’t expect such an extraordinary result. When she saw herself at the top of the leaderboard yesterday, she was over the moon with excitement!

Sticking to her race plan, Cathrin decided to take a well-deserved rest during the night, sleeping for two and a half hours. However, when she woke up, she was disappointed to find herself in sixth place, but that didn’t stop her: she immediately got back to work and reclaimed the lead in no time! Congratulations!

![Il- woman winner](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/aNdXRCNRrcIopfyX2gY8s/a0efb7d97e30a044ab20f41d4fed93ee/Schermata_2025-09-27_alle_21.38.21.png)

A few hours later, Luise and Pia also arrived, completing the podium in second and third place, with a time of 32 hours and 8 min.
Pia crossed the finish line in tears of joy - it was truly moving to see her so emotional, especially knowing that she had fallen after Učka yesterday. Thankfully, nothing serious, but she had to complete the rest of the course with a less-than-ideal grip on the handlebars due to multiple scrapes on the palm of her hand.

Just a few minutes after them, Giorgia Ragogna arrived, placing fourth.

![Schermata 2025-09-27 alle 21.38.38](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4fHt8MdX1bvpIYL038Kfgq/a1326fcdf8fbdca5150756e980bb2531/Schermata_2025-09-27_alle_21.38.38.png)

One day and 12 hours after the start, more than 100 riders have already crossed the finish line, and there are still many participants on the route. They’re taking advantage of the beautiful weather that Istria is offering to enjoy the stunning landscapes of this region.
The race is still on!

We have a shared victory: Adam Jordan and Nicolò Ferrazzo worked together throughout the night and crossed the finish line at 2:10 AM, just over 17 hours into the race, both taking the win at Istra Land 2025 with an outstanding performance.
They completed the course with an average speed of over 25 km/h and didn’t take any significant breaks along the way. Congratulations, guys!
![winners IL25](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4GUA7Tnu16DBKdhckfZYVz/28b01414ae39966b4ddaea8a38a32d8c/IMG_4059.jpg)

Shortly after, at 3:42 AM, Francesco Vettore arrived to claim third place, wrapping up a truly impressive ride of his own.

Less than half an hour later, Max Cusini finished with a total time of 19 hours and 8 minutes, taking fourth.

Finally, in fifth place, we saw a synchronized finish at 4:11 AM by a strong group: Paul Fösleitner, Marco Rossignoli, Marko Požun, Paolo Bernardi and Andrej Wagner all crossed the line together.

We predicted this would be a fast edition, but we didn't expected that much.
In less than 24 hours, we already have over 30 finishers who have completed the loop. Huge congratulations to everyone!

As for the women’s race, it’s still wide open. Currently, Pia Schmid and Luise Ollick are in the lead at km 350, holding a gap of about 10 km over Cathrin Beubler.

The first 15 hours of the race have offered ideal weather conditions for the riders.
Those who feared bad weather were proven wrong: no sign of rain and perfect temperatures accompanied this initial phase of the event.

![il start](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/L0sgCqMpx8RXR3X4NsdR7/cd00fd9c5979d7d76b70ae59534e5dc1/IMG_4054.jpg)
*photo: nils laengner*

In the previous update, the peloton was still tightly packed, but the climb toward Vojak began to shake things up. While many riders took the opportunity to recover once they reached the summit, a small group picked up the pace, gradually breaking away from the main pack. The passage through CP1 marked the beginning of the real selection.

![cp1](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4A2KXyjMEZo9cZaJ1eems7/60711713b8ac4ac35002a7e64320a2ea/IMG_4048.PNG)

Out front, keeping a steady pace, we still find the same trio: Adam Jordan, Nicolò Ferrazzo, and Francesco Vettore, all delivering a solid performance up to that point.

In the women’s race, Barbara Kruh-Santner was the first to reach CP1. As it stands, Cathrin Beubler (65th overall) currently leads the women’s category, followed by Laura Delnevo. Not far behind are Luise Ollick and Pia Schmid, riding the event together. It's still too early to make solid predictions for the women’s podium, but with the first light of day, we should begin to see a clearer picture.

![cp1-woman](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6zffBDVoHvQ8IqbBGI1ogD/22e709f323c90108a9195db736be3cb1/IMG_4047.jpg)
*photo: exploro.cc*

Just before CP2, located in the Kamenjak Nature Park, a gap began to form between Adam Jordan and Nicolò Ferrazzo - who are locked in a head-to-head battle - and Francesco Vettore, who now sits third overall. After exiting Kamenjak, Marco Rossignoli, Paul Fösleitner, and Max Cusini started to close the distance with Francesco, creating two lead groups: Adam and Nicolò currently around the 320 km mark with an average speed close to 25 km/h, and the chasing trio about 30 km behind.

![cp2-safari](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2bjvLNZrqEvslUxKK01S4x/983b12942a96f03e7126fe25fd45197e/IMG_4051.jpg)

The race remains wide open, especially for the top two spots: will they choose to work together and share the victory, or will it come down to a head-to-head sprint to the finish? At their current pace, the frontrunners could cross the line well before 3 a.m. Time will tell!

At the moment, most participants are spread out between kilometers 150 and 250. Many of them have chosen to stop and rest before setting off again at dawn, but the map is still full of moving dots because several riders have decided to pedal through the night.

We’ll be back with an update in the morning, by then we might very well have a winner.

Ride safe!

This morning, nearly 500 cyclists set off from the sports center in Basovizza under a sky that promises a beautiful sunny day.
![starting-il](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7G0e0fAjUKGJ5QUbbH4HkC/0f2695ee3ddf322c1d2e1bdd1c397d18/Schermata_2025-09-26_alle_12.10.18.png)

The first 5 km of the route were dedicated to Sofiane Sehili, who, for those who may not know, was arrested in the Russian Far East during what was supposed to be the final stage of his record attempt to cross Eurasia by bike. Sehili set off from Lisbon in July, aiming to ride through 17 countries and finish his journey in Vladivostok by early September; a ride spanning over 60 days and thousands of kilometers.
But his record-breaking journey came to a halt due to issues at the Russian-Chinese border. Sofiane shared with us  the 2024 edition of Istra Land.
He is currently still being held in Russia, and we sincerely hope that justice will take its course as quickly as possible.

![sofiane - 1](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2rvSlcl2qelxjhUdC96x3q/73ba322e8320c5d5525145864ed587c7/Schermata_2025-09-26_alle_12.09.47.png)

![sofiane - 2](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7jc1JjU9N0EzBDFm1pZXOK/b65b12aa66d5690aad393b2a9559613d/Schermata_2025-09-26_alle_13.06.46.png)

Just over three hours after the start, it’s still too early to make any predictions, as no significant gaps have formed within the group yet. However, a few participants clearly decided to begin at a strong pace and are now approaching CP1. Time will tell who among them will manage to maintain this rhythm over the full 430 km, and who will instead choose to slow down along the rocky gravel roads and take some more substantial breaks in the charming villages along the way. 

Most riders, however, seem to be enjoying a much more relaxed pace, a perfect way to enjoy this amazing day that Istria’s serving up.

![il-25](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3j2HY82Hs9jH2rBhU1XICa/26a270d47652972a140d1d72ab63f32b/Schermata_2025-09-26_alle_12.11.10.png)

The climb to CP1 is definitely the longest one on the route, but there’s no time to relax afterward. There are more climbs ahead; they might be shorter, but with way more kilometers in the legs by then, they’ll still pack a punch. Let’s not forget that about 30 km before the finish in Basovizza, the riders will have to tackle one last tough climb to cross back into Slovenia  and it’s no joke, especially considering they’ll be hitting it after more than 400 km.
So pace yourselves wisely,  there’s still plenty of work to do!

One last important thing to say: enjoy the ride everyone :)


This year’s line-up brings a great mix of familiar faces and newcomers.
Many riders are returning veterans of the event, while others are taking on Istra Land for the very first time.
It’s a clear sign of how this event captures people's hearts and how many are curious to experience the thrill of riding across the Istrian peninsula.

We’re also celebrating a new record this year: out of 500 participants, 98 are women - almost 20%!
For those familiar with the world of ultracycling, that’s a huge milestone. As both a woman and a cyclist, it makes me incredibly proud to know that such a strong female presence will be lining up at the start line on Friday. Go girls!

![il girls](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2cWL2L1VFdVzzMtQIa63Vs/14d04a2d5a84eee120ff3b43fde14e6f/Schermata_2025-09-25_alle_12.11.55.png)
*Photo: Giuliano Koren / Andrea Securo*

One standout name is Cristiana Tamburini, a true veteran of the ultra scene. She’s earned impressive finishes in events like Badlands, Italy Divide, Seven Serpents and Veneto Trail.
Among the men, keep an eye on Adam Jordan, fresh off a win at Badlands 2025 in the pairs category, which he finished in just over 44 hours. Another strong contender is gravel racer Nicolò Ferrazzo, who looks set to tackle Istra Land with a highly competitive mindset. And let’s not forget Nicolau Prats Coma, who finished third last year, will he climb even higher on the podium this time?

![IL landscape](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5tAiRl25es9GbUMJi5UaQs/6a124d285f1d1c1b7ab19f96c9a9d07d/Schermata_2025-09-25_alle_12.06.14.png)
*Photo: Giuliano Koren / Andrea Securo*

This year’s participants represent over 40 different nationalities, including one rider all the way from New Zealand. It’s incredible to think how this event, and this sport in general, brings together such a diverse community, united by a shared passion.

__The big question on everyone’s mind: will it rain?__

As for the weather, we’re all hoping for a dry ride to the finish line. The forecast suggests a few scattered showers, but with a bit of luck, Istra Land 2025 might stay mostly dry. Of course, in true ultra racing, rain rarely stops the riders, but safety always comes first. So, as your grandma might say: ride safe out there, folks!

Starting next Friday, the fourth edition of Istra Land kicks off - widely considered one of the best ways to bid farewell to summer. The event takes riders on a clockwise loop around the Istrian peninsula, covering approximately 400 km with a total elevation gain of around 5000 meters. About 70% of the route is off-road, yet it's almost entirely rideable.

The route is one of the most versatile out there: on one hand, we’ll see dots moving fast and completing the loop in under 24 hours, while on the other, it’s perfectly suited for a more relaxed multi-day bikepacking adventure.

Last year, Geno Villafano crossed the finish line right at the 18-hour mark, making him the fastest rider. Just a few hours later, Mascha Wahling completed the loop in 22h 23min, securing her spot as the fastest woman.

![geno](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/Tui25L4untZ1iA9uoF35i/c5dad256edfa0eb6730898a9cf543e53/Schermata_2025-09-24_alle_22.59.32.png)
*photo: Giuliano Koren / Andrea Securo*

__The track__

As the past year, the track will start and finish in Basovizza, a small town near Trieste.
Word from the organizers is that this year’s route will be the fastest one yet. Compared to last year’s edition, several sections have been made faster and completely new parts have been introduced.

![sea istra land](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/50I0xYME9gPuDhPQY7ddQh/8c4ad70b88af98c34be62c250f2a0705/Schermata_2025-09-24_alle_22.26.01.png)
*photo: Giuliano Koren / Andrea Securo*

For example, riders will pass through a stunning stretch along the sea just after the Ližnjan lighthouse, and they’ll exit Pula avoiding those infamous red dirt roads that sometimes turn into peanut butter-like mud.

The checkpoints remain the same as last year. To reach CP1, riders will have to tackle the highest climb in Istria: Mount Vojak, standing at 1401 meters above sea level. It’s definitely one of the longest ascents on the route. Last year, it had a particularly magical atmosphere, shrouded in thick fog. (Fingers crossed they get to soak in the views this year!)

![cp1 istra land](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1MwtjyvcZdmwl45L95TIEJ/08c72ac8611ad81baffd4ee3499b93e5/Schermata_2025-09-24_alle_22.44.25.png)
*photo: Giuliano Koren / Andrea Securo*

However on the CP2, riders will get to enjoy some beautiful coastal views, and maybe even grab a drink, if they pass through during opening hours, at the Safari Bar in the Kamenjak Nature Park

![adrien sophiane](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1lhudQN5pSf8rFKgv3kEBo/c155698e15170bbe70207f03285aa621/Schermata_2025-09-24_alle_22.44.58.png)
*photo: Giuliano Koren / Andrea Securo*

We can’t wait to see those dots flying along the coast, tearing through the hills and winding their way through the little towns of Istria!

__What gear to bring?__

If you ask me, with many of the more technical sections taken out this year, I think the ideal setup is a bike that really lets you open it up on the fast stretches. A gravel bike with fairly wide—but not overly bulky—tires might just be the perfect choice.

That said, the right setup is always the one that makes you feel most confident on the bike. So I don’t think there’s one single correct answer to the question. What really matters is being equipped in a way that lets you enjoy the experience to the fullest and safe! :) 

If you're curious to see how this year's riders have set up their bikes, the article "Bikes of Istra Land 2025" is now online [here](https://dotwatcher.cc/feature/bikes-of-istra-land-2025).

Beatrice Toffoletto

Mascha Wahlig

Geno Villafano

Istra Land 2025 Tracking + Commentary: Istra Land has been designed to unveil the secrets of the three colors of Istria County: White Istria, as the limestones around the mountain peaks; Grey (or Yellow) Istria, as the fertile inner lands; and Red Istria, as the clayey land near the coastline.

Istra Land 2025 Tracking

Istra Land is the ultimate gravel race around the Istrian peninsula. 400 km of dust, wild coastlines, and sun-baked roads — all leading to the sea and a party to bid summer farewell, together.

DotWatcher.cc

Istra Land 2025

Last Year's Male WinnerGeno Villafano

Last Year's Female WinnerMascha Wahlig

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