First woman in the podium!

First finisher in!

24 hours in the race!

Here is the updated top ten results with a few time penalties handed out which has rejigged the results.

1 – Niccolò Varanini 40:00 (14/09 01:00)

2 – Sebastiano Frandino 54:42 (14/09 15:42)

3 – Dilara Tuna 54:52 (14/09 15:52)

4 – Fabio Motta 55:05 (14/09 16:05)

5 – Marco Bottenghi 60:35 (14/09 21:35)

6 – Joel Temple 68:00 (15/09 05:00)

7 – Tobias Klemet 69:15 (15/09 06:15)

8 – Gregor Sieber 70:35 (15/09 02:35 +5h)

9 – Christoph Eder 70:35 (15/09 02:35 +5h)

10 – Massimo Ronchin 73:12 (15/09 10:12)

The Top Ten!

With Sebastiano Frandino as our second finisher, we were very thrilled about how the podium would end up. Sebastiano took 54 hours and 42 minutes to complete the loop! In the meantime Clara and Fabio were actually very close to eachother while trying to catch up with Seba, since they "had a rest" all together in front of a bar, waiting for it to open in a very cold morning.

It was Dilara who finished third, exhausted but happy and smiling at us when she arrived! Fabio rolled in, just a few minutes after, and we could celebrate all together in a sunny afternoon!

![DSC1605 (1)](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1mRU5HYDxzhjUfWhdurr8Q/7fbfa91e679f0743b9f7906e3acd00b3/_DSC1605__1_.jpg)

__We have a bouncing dot!__

Niccolò Varanini, our Seven Serpents veteran, just finished tonight right before another shower rain!
He completed the 550km of the Illyrian Loop in exactly 40 hours...fast and precise! 

![DSC1503 (2)](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/JAbNd4RLDbpbbs6T6Yb1A/ad474eb5cccfa538ce993ef35da90204/_DSC1503__2_.jpg)

He told us he's very happy about the route and that he loved the second part of the track so much. He's also very happy with his tyre choice, 55mm on a gravel bike.

Congratulations, have a well deserved rest but don't eat too many trileche cakes!

__Other links:__
[Komoot link to the route](https://www.komoot.com/collection/2700559/-seven-serpents-illyrian-loop-2024 "You will be redirected to Komoot")

[Here is the tracking link for the event](https://www.whip.live/event-tracking/7SIL24/ "You will be redirected to WHIP")


Good evening from Koman lake!

Our riders are still battling with cold and windy weather, but they're in good spirit and we didn't have any scratch report today! It's actually a success since this morning all the area was affected by literally shower rains, with some minor landfalls around and flooded secondary roads.

![DSC1452](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/19DRv19K2ZiFSK0cWJT6e8/d1b67d773bea31950f0edfb451dc12f5/_DSC1452.jpg)

Niccolò is still leading and we're actually waiting for him with a cold beer since he's __just 50k away from Shköder__. A few hours back, Dilara, our leading woman is neck to neck with Fabio...we expect them to finish tomorrow morning, hopefully with some golden sunrise!

The other serpents are doing great and all of them passed Pukë, what we consider then halfway of the route!

![DSC1377](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/23lW0QKKvCJbBU7xHua1bw/c5cfe6828cb9471bf7dd67d293f614c5/_DSC1377.jpg)

More updates tomorrow, by now we're preparing some celebrations for the upcoming finishers!

__Other links:__
[Komoot link to the route](https://www.komoot.com/collection/2700559/-seven-serpents-illyrian-loop-2024 "You will be redirected to Komoot")

[Here is the tracking link for the event](https://www.whip.live/event-tracking/7SIL24/ "You will be redirected to WHIP")


36 hours in the race!

Good morning dotwatchers! I'm here in Shköder, Albania, ready to give you the race report of the first 24 hours of Illyrian Loop!

![DSC0611](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1k3wEb98ZZtE4YmpytuyAK/8f6d2438e1339ac660779c28260f5017/_DSC0611.jpg)

Riders started yesterday at 9 in the morning, after being escorted by police for the first couple kilometres they tackled the first countryside road and the first gravel. After the first technical uphill, riders were surprisingly not so separated between eachother! Afterwards, on the proper climb to Mali i Shoshit, Niccolò, Fabio, Sebastiano and Charlie could make a good gap and downhill to Theth 40 minutes earlier than the rest of the riders.

![DSC1132](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2f0GlnUg5IocCP6E5W1iKs/cc636d834596dac44c8d59a20f566b5a/_DSC1132.jpg)

Dilara, the leading woman is by lunchtime keeping a solid top 5 while Nicky is a few kilometres behind but enjoying some Albanian delicatessen.

After meeting him in Theth Niccolò told us that he wanted to start pushing, in order to be as far as possible when a predicted night rain would have started. In facts he tackled the second part of the day really strongly giving by evening a gap of more than one hour to other riders.

![DSC1158](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2BPXZVDDTbVf9wvjNSey3h/76af9d8094b0d2000c28129adb5c889d/_DSC1158.jpg)

Dilara decided not to stop during the night and she could reach the second position, while Sebastiano and Fabio decided to get a room in Pukë. In the meantime all the riders passed Mesi Bridge and beside a couple DNF everyone is riding safe and in good spirit!

Let's see what this rainy second day will bring!

__Other links:__
[Komoot link to the route](https://www.komoot.com/collection/2700559/-seven-serpents-illyrian-loop-2024 "You will be redirected to Komoot")

[Here is the tracking link for the event](https://www.whip.live/event-tracking/7SIL24/ "You will be redirected to WHIP")


Yesterday we could feel some excitement in the vibrant Albanian air. Riders regrouped outside the Bashkia, the town hall, just before nine. After some more suggestions and tips from the organisation, 30 riders walked through the city center in order to reach the start line of this amazing adventure through Albania.

![1726165001899](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2b0ikul07cjQXd8kXqBTQB/60f5b33795944963e0f17049a0399ebc/1726165001899.jpg)

The only unfortunate thing at that point was counting some DNS; riders that for some personal reasons, couldn't start the journey. It's a common thing at bikepacking events but we anyway feel sorry to miss someone and we wish good luck to all the riders, the ones that started and the ones that didn't!

![1726165025566](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/314XFu8UYW6xSdC833UyyS/98f61bacc83c00643cbd01965003c966/1726165025566.jpg)

Race report of the first 24 hours will follow in the morning!

__Other links:__
[Komoot link to the route](https://www.komoot.com/collection/2700559/-seven-serpents-illyrian-loop-2024 "You will be redirected to Komoot")

[Here is the tracking link for the event](https://www.whip.live/event-tracking/7SIL24/ "You will be redirected to WHIP")


A smooth start but...

It's a sunny day here in Shköder and riders are giving the last touch-ups to their bikes. Some participants went for a shakedown ride, some others are just enjoying the mild temperatures in the city centre, while drinking a coffee.

![1726089546505](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6nLtEqiJmBpBtZ1OQKPChl/cc16385fdc739125e722a42ff161bb25/1726089546505.jpg)

We met them all at the accreditation and briefing, everyone was very enthusiastic, yet a bit nervous for the upcoming adventure. We then gathered for a dinner all together where we could share some bikepacking stories...and this is what emerged!

![1726093478285](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3gDVBpETZUeoON9t2agVRE/f52219ba7f412a7707729145b939201d/1726093478285.jpg)

Who to follow:

#38 Niccolò Varanini 

Veteran of Seven Serpents, he completed the dantesque 2023 edition in 3rd position. He's an experienced rider who finished Atlas Mountain Race, Gran Guanche Gravel and many more. With his motto "gravel doesn't exist", he's always ready to tackle the most f***ed up trails with a smile.

#40 Tobias Klemet

Veteran of Seven Serpents, he finished Quick Bite! 2023 with a pretty fast pace. He also finished Badlands in 2023 and various other ultra gravel events.

#37 Dilara Tuna 

Strong multidisciplinary woman. She runs, she bikes, she skies...and apparently she's good at that!
She recently finished Lakes and Knödel in top 10 position leaving more than 50 riders behind. Back in 2022 she finished Gran Guanche Trail in 15 position. In 2023 she completed the Silk Road Mountain Race in pair category...well seems like that she's a tough rider and a cool one to follow!

#12 Sebastiano Frandino

Veteran of Seven Serpents, he finished the 2023 edition with a smile despite the super tough conditions faced in that edition. He finished Badlands also in 2023 and Unknown race this year.

*The start will be at 9 a.m. sharp, the clock will never stop and the riders will have to rely only on their strength as in any classic unsupported event.*

__Other links:__
[Komoot link to the route](https://www.komoot.com/collection/2700559/-seven-serpents-illyrian-loop-2024 "You will be redirected to Komoot")

[Here is the tracking link for the event](https://www.whip.live/event-tracking/7SIL24/ "You will be redirected to WHIP")


Accreditation and briefing done ✅

__Heaps of stunning sceneries through the most incredible sights of north Albania, this is the Illyrian Loop in a nutshell!__

 [__Illyrian Loop__](https://www.seven-serpents.com/illyrian-loop/) is the third [__Seven Serpents__](https://www.instagram.com/sevenserpents.cc?igsh=ZDFhc2NxaGZtNGxp) route. It is an unsupported bikepacking event of about 550 kilometres and 11.000 metres of elevation that will take place in Shköder, Albania this Thursday. The route will go through gravel and secondary roads in the most scenic routes of north Albania.

*The start will be at 9 a.m. sharp, the clock will never stop and the riders will have to rely only on their strength as in any classic unsupported event.*

## Route Highlights

Starting from __Shkodër__ the route tackles a quite short but technical uphill. After this "warm-up" riders will proceed north east on a paved but incredibly scenic mountain route that will lead to the famous valley of Theth. This section of the route is literally one of the most technical and MTB-ish. Heading back west riders will enjoy a nice flow on a compact off-road downhill, on the way to Drisht and Ura e Mesit, an incredibly well kept rural bridge.

![1725983834168](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1Q5oGMVmfgXWgrHN0sJ6PJ/35e10599c596cb75ca4bacb78b26b881/1725983834168.JPG)

The Vau i Dejës Reservoir is a significant water reservoir in northern Albania, formed by the Drin River. The reservoir is one of the largest in the country, surrounded by scenic rocky landscapes. The town serves as a gateway to the Albanian Alps and is the starting point for ferry trips on Koman Lake.

![1725983856657](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4OSbmCGcZdh2bekXul1OhR/cbfea764ebc464ba2c47678bafd29f63/1725983856657.JPG)

Riders will spend a good time riding around the big lake, a reservoir created by the Drin River and surrounded by steep mountains and lush landscapes. Koman is a popular destination for nature lovers and those seeking a picturesque escape.

__Here participants have the possibility to shortcut and avoid a nasty hike a bike section...with the compromise of a penalty of +5 hours on their finisher's time__

222 kilometres in, here's comes the pain!
The only way to escape Koman is a steep hike a bike section of about 1,5km. After this section riders will leave the agony and enjoy a rewarding downhill before a road section that will lead to Pukë, a nice and lively mountain village. The next challenge will be the climb to Lurë, probably the most incredible section (in terms of views) of the whole loop. 

Peškopi (Peshkopi) and Rrethi i Rezhit (Reshen) are both towns in northeastern Albania. Peškopi is the capital of the Dibër County, known for its cultural heritage and historical sites. Reshen is a nearby town in the Dibër region. The area is characterized by its scenic landscapes, and the Drin River flows through this region as well. Riders will pass by Qafë Mollës lake before tackling the last “more urbanized” section before entering back Shköder area and finish this incredible adventure!

__Other links:__
[Komoot link to the route](https://www.komoot.com/collection/2700559/-seven-serpents-illyrian-loop-2024 "You will be redirected to Komoot")
[Here is the tracking link for the event](https://www.whip.live/event-tracking/7SIL24/ "You will be redirected to WHIP")


Illyrian Loop: route overview

Hello friends and welcome to another amazing commentary by Dotwatcher.cc!
# 
This Thursday, in Shköder - Albania, the inaugural edition of [__Illyrian Loop__](https://www.seven-serpents.com/illyrian-loop/) is going to start! We're more than happy to give you daily updates of the most exciting things that are happening on the field.

*But let me introduce myself first!*

I'm [__Bruno Ferraro__](https://www.instagram.com/bruno.gpx?igsh=a2pqajBjZm5sZDBx), creator and organiser of [__Seven Serpents__](https://www.instagram.com/sevenserpents.cc?igsh=ZDFhc2NxaGZtNGxp) and [__Mother North__](https://www.instagram.com/mothernorth.cc?igsh=MWcyZ3ZtMmo5bHRjbA==) bikepacking events.

![Bruno Ferraro](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/FiiiUhU3HUlMhx5b4Dapk/e803e486d258769afde33387a4948e7b/QB_REGISTRATIONS-111.jpg)

You might remember me as finisher of some European bikepacking events like the Transcontinental Race, North Cape 4000, Transiberica, Badlands, Italy Divide, Basajaun, two Volcano Sprint, Transpyrenees and some more :)

![Bruno Ferraro 2](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4zN9YFLXHhPWTXQ4CiiuMX/ca496b3caa8652996ab7c5e508cf8a33/1725953217709.jpg)

After my second participation of Badlands, in 2021, I felt that our bikepacking community really needed more off-road events. Inspired by David and Carlos (by that time still united in one organisation) I decided to put up the first edition of Seven Serpents which is, by now, one interesting appointment in the spring season.

I’ll follow-up with a race preview shortly. In the meantime make sure to follow the [Seven Serpents IG](https://www.instagram.com/sevenserpents.cc?igsh=ZDFhc2NxaGZtNGxp) account for updates ahead of the start on Thursday! It looks like it will be some type 2 fun for our participants!

__Other links:__
[Komoot link to the route](https://www.komoot.com/collection/2700559/-seven-serpents-illyrian-loop-2024 "You will be redirected to Komoot")

[Here is the tracking link for the event](https://www.whip.live/event-tracking/7SIL24/ "You will be redirected to WHIP")

Welcome to Seven Serpents: Illyrian Loop commentary!

Bruno Ferraro

Seven Serpents: Illyrian Loop 2024 Tracking and Commentary: Albanian gravel bikepacking race

Seven Serpents: Illyrian Loop 2024 Tracking

Illyrian Loop is an unsupported bikepacking event of about 550 kilometres that will take place in Albania. The route will go through gravel and secondary roads in the most scenic routes of north Albania including reservoirs, forests and cultural heritage and historical sites.

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Seven Serpents: Illyrian Loop 2024

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