Trans Balkan Race 2022 - Race Preview

Let's get the party started!

Welcome to Croatia

Teddy Bears and overnight riding

C.P.1 Donji Lapac

 4 hours lead makes up for 4 hours penalty

C.P.2 Mostar pool party, heat waves and lead changes

The podium is complete!

1st female rider

![The winding roads of Montenegro](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6vuxlYIzt5wIHu2xBF465F/2316b0a098cf16485029d564a298541a/P9250123_copia__1_.jpg)

Hey everyone, this is Bea from the TBR race organization. I'm eager to bring you into the inaugural edition of the Trans Balkan Race, so let's get started!

This event proposes a fascinating adventure in a region that is still perceived as remote and inaccessible. It’s an unforgettable journey across karstic landscapes and flourishing forests through the history of the Ex-Yugoslavia. 

Sold-out after only two weeks into registrations, the TBR will start with 100 riders (23 nationalities) from Sežana, Slovenia, on Friday, June 3rd at 8 a.m. (CEST).

Are you ready for the real Balkan party?

__Route Breakdown__

![Orlovac Pass](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/40SjoVE0G7aFKW38azWKET/cb66168b92a1b4a36f2f0094cf07b08f/P9270423_copia__1_.jpg)

The Trans Balkan Race is a fixed route off-road race across the Dinaric Alps, with an elevation gain of 27000 m over a distance of 1345 km. Riders will cross 4 independent Countries that were once part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia Herzegovina, and Montenegro. The route is widely remote, 82% off-road, developing on the wild ridge of the Dinaric Alps through some of the most remarkable National Parks in Europe. 

The karstic environment is prevalent along the route, creating a lunar landscape where temperatures can vary by 20ºC in just a couple of hours. Here, also water availability is a serious concern, as the permeable terrain channels the rain to underground cavities - leaving the surface dry and rocky. These moonscapes are spaced out by flourishing forests, where paths are often muddy and slippery. Briefly, the Balkan nature doesn’t do half measures.

Although riders will need mountain biking gears and a super light set-up, the TBR route does not necessarily favor pure climbers. It rather requires mixed skills: fast legs on the hill sections and a high suffer-score on long climbs. 

![Nikšić lakes](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/TJ6MnRrKie234ZNWN5AxL/04ff8786681e1e251ceaa0de1fe69ae0/P9250065_copia__2_.jpg)

__The Riders__

Old and new friends are lining up in Sežana! Let me guide you through some of the favorites and prospects for the 2022 edition.

Lael Wilcox is having an incredible season: her name is nearly in every lineup we had a look at! Lael is fresh out of the Spanish Kromvojoj and ready to rock the Balkan trails. Watch out for this gal!

Manuel Truccolo had an amazing 2021 season, winning the BBB and getting 3rd (right after an incredible Mattia De Marchi) at Italy Divide, and 2022 started with the second place at Granguanche (again behind Mattia).

Lieven Schroyen is a Silk Road Mountain Race veteran: he finished 6th in 2019, won the BTG2019, and contended for first place at French Divide 2020  with the very Sofiane Sehili.

Nathalie Baillon comes from an ultra road-race environment, with several 1st women positions (BikingMan Corsica 2020, BikingMan Euskadi 2021, RAF 2019). 

Fabian Burri has already a worthy record of ultra races and is ready to test himself on the Balkans off-road. 

We also have a number of TCR and SRMR veterans: we'll see what they have to say about this adventure!

*All photo credits to Luca Petrinka*


![Last Preparations](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5rfPvYQJl8C3SqhrOL90lg/cc84eae42ff152169214808b7a23e2aa/_MG_1466.jpg)

No fancy early morning starts at the Trans Balkans Race: we love to take our time here in the Balkans!

At 8 a.m. CEST, the astonished stare of locals has accompanied the riders out of Sežana. The battle for the first position begins on magnificent linear gravel in the Slovenian woods. I'd say it looked more like an XC race than an ultra one: shout out to our riders! After 12 km (and a super steep 3 km climb), Benjamin Koch is already leading the pack. Sebastian Sarx follows within a short distance, contending the 3rd position with Tobias Bader, Axel Brenner, and Nicola Canzian. However, the group still looks very compact, as they're approaching mt. Slavnik climb.

![Start line](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3eu7YzOt1vwqL8NzhqA7F7/d37e358caa57628eefb721fe823ff95e/_MG_1497.jpg)

__Northern Dinaric Alps__

The TBR starts out with a rather hilly section on smooth gravel roads. It will allow riders a fast pace on the first climbs - and probably cause an early selection at the race lead. 

The warm-up culminates at the top of mt. Slavnik, after 35 km and roughly 1500 m of ascent. A rocky descent and they'll be off to a long rolling section until the big climb of Risnjak.

Riders will find Slovenia to have the smoothest and most perfect gravel routes, and gravelier will be tempted to think they have made the perfect bike choice. Don't worry, they'll pay the price later! Also a note for those following MTBers: don't let Slovenia trick you, the Balkans are not smooth and they are definitely not over-geared. 

Bonus challenge: Babno Polje border between Slovenia and Croatia. Will -notoriously curious- custom officials be a threat to the leaderboard?

*All photo credits to Andrea Securo*

![They're off!](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1g9Rez2TYem16IYBJzeVm5/4668c9523f4eee2a793f946d224122ee/_MG_1527.jpg)


![SEC 6593](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/460Kiav1PjsxqKtibB9K67/e0bef7de50de706a56134880cd05c442/SEC_6593.JPEG)

In the breathtaking landscape that dominates the Gulf of Trieste, a smiling Manuel Truccolo #88 has been the first to reach the top of mt. Slavnik, only to loose his tracker on the bumpy descent - we’ll give further updates. 

Following closely: Benjamin Koch #43, Axel Brenner #14 , Sebastian Sarx #72, Nicolò Varanini #93, Lieven Schroyen #74, Floris Braat #13, and Nicola Canzian #17.  These guys took no time to enjoy the view, what a shame!

Nathalie Baillon #2 was the first woman at the top, followed by Lael Wilcox #97. An inquisitive glance, and they’re off to Markovščina descent.

![2022 Trans Balkan Race — Rugile Kaladyte — 003 — Horizontal](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/54hoRUJqWXEzusa91TTNOp/4a90999c8a63156b96722500fc0a0a65/2022_Trans_Balkan_Race_____Rugile_Kaladyte_____003_____Horizontal.JPG)

As the leading pack headed to the Slovenian hinterland, we rushed to catch them at Babno Polje border. This small village hosts the crossing point between Slovenia and Croatia for this year's TBR. 

![2022 TBR Allergy Border-106](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/15VanQuutDPjxvvyA1KUMU/11a9261d41e0aa9e6a0513d3e3cf55db/2022_TBR_Allergy_Border-106.jpg)

Riders identified individually twice at the border cross controls: the first time, to exit Slovenia, and the second time to enter Croatia. These should normally be a simple formality and luckily they did not interfere with the course so far.

The first rider to take leave from Slovenia is Benjamin Koch #43, followed by Floris Braat #13, and Sebastian Sarx #72.

![LP1 0971 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6OrXpT25FcwRIPF0w7nU6W/82f30916155b42142e154c469cb48fc2/LP1_0971_copia.JPG)

Race leaders are now deep into the Risnjak section, tackling a 50 km traverse in this wild nature park. The ground is still very smooth and gravel bikes will flow like honey on the long tarmac descent after Platak mountain hut. We'll see what the Velebit section will serve them tonight!

![SEC 6766](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/LxB228fyqaHwQ3JlehaKE/66f73f05aed4e7aee57dcc1fcc0f45a8/SEC_6766.JPEG)

__Sharp rocks, early punctures and withdrawals__

The karst is infamous for its sharp rocks, a real threat to wheels, and we already had a few punctures and mechanicals. After only 10 km, Charlie Bell # had to find a bike shop to fix his bike, while Manuel Truccolo #88 has had two punctures so far -but still pushing hard! We warned them about those skinny tires! 

We also have the first withdrawals: Lorenzo Carraro #18 for an injured knee and Anja Neubert #59 and Sören Prestel #66 due to health problems.

Photo credits to:

1, 5 Andrea Securo

2 Rugile Kaladyte

3 Morten Schrøder

4 Luca Petrinka


![2022 TBR — Rugile Kaladyte — 011](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6m8sG2xjoods2SZ3Mk5BJs/b5405979203ee9b5be08dc1fc204d1d1/2022_TBR_____Rugile_Kaladyte_____011.JPG)

__Teddy Bear__

Good morning from the (tired) TBR team! As expected, the cooler night conditions allowed our riders to ride further and they took almost no time to rest - which, of course, means we did not either. I'm wondering who will be affected by fatigue first, riders or rather control teams?

![LP1 0988](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1CN2LW5WvQ4OdysCYvjXnZ/2953a27f1f21d3a6d5ae33c2d4a32571/LP1_0988.JPG)
![LP1 1000 copia 2](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5FZsRP39XtJ7Un8lBS4zZq/40e2f5ba630b992ae11a2b81bf5eabbc/LP1_1000_copia_2.JPG)

We've caught up with some of the riders, and they reported to have run into a rider from a supported ultra-cycling road race. No bike bags, just a super fast bike and a van following. I’m wondering which event that might be!

Nathalie Baillon #2 has spotted a brown bear and two cubs in the Norther Velebit Park! It might be time to spread some long-kept secrets: all of our scouting trips to the Risnjak and Velebit Parks have been blessed by a brown bear encounter. So much for wild areas!

__Velebit and Croatia hinterland__

![2022 TBR — Rugile Kaladyte — 013](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/GS0AkYtqZ936xvdmvsPaS/03e85e3a4d97c5c8cfa19676b8c9ca82/2022_TBR_____Rugile_Kaladyte_____013.JPG)

Today the Velebit highlands and Croatia hinterland will treat riders with 400 km for 6800 m of ascent. This is a mixed section: the Velebit allows for a fast pace on its panoramic roads, perched over the Croatian coastline, while Croatia's hinterland requires good riding skill on some abandoned trails and singletracks. There are no resupply points between Platak (km 191) and Gospič (km 389).

The lead pack already covered this section during the night, and the day starts off with Benjamin Koch #43 riding on a 10 km lead. Manuel Truccolo #88, Sebastian Sarx #72 and Markus Zimmermann follow within a short distance.

The mid-pack is now tackling the first half of the Velebit section, and Giuseppe Colucci #22 and Thomas Quirk #68 were lucky enough to catch the sunrise on the panoramic road perched over the Kvarner Gulf. The first lights of the day revealed the view of Kirk, Cres, and Rab islands: a lunar-like archipelago constellating the calm Croatian sea. The northeasterly side of the Dalmatian islands is harsh and naked: no vegetation can sustain the brutal conditions imposed by the Bora wind crushing on their shores. 

The last 50 km of this section develop entirely in the magnificent Velebit woods. A refreshing leg after the intense heat of the coastal area.

![2022 TBR — Rugile Kaladyte — 007](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/47Hs5ZNJQ73X9mLYn8ZfY3/a785314119793e89d37d6300db51140a/2022_TBR_____Rugile_Kaladyte_____007.JPG)

__Withdrawal__

We’ve had news of other withdrawals: it’s Gabriel Waringer #95 and Christian Staudinger #81, who had some issues making the pair riding thing work, and Niccolò Varanini #93, with a broken ratchet freehub.

Photo credits to:

1, 4, 5 Rugile Kaladyle

2, 3 Luca Petrinka

![LP1 1051 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/13TkYEHr4onZU0NxEDcH7t/2462b73467bb5279b47e74b138e5dfeb/LP1_1051_copia.JPG)

With 476 km already in the bag in just an astonishing 30 hours and 17 minutes, at 14:17 Manuel Truccolo #88 is the first rider to reach Checkpoint 1 in Donji Lapac. And I’d say he looked pretty good! He’s had a good 2 hours of sleep on the Velebit section at 1500m of altitude, and he said the bivy bag he brought was warm enough for the night. 

![LP1 1111 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2CA6dHT9WXgdvJImpS6HVP/a0bef5fd840d0b00fe6ac5c9fa8a6184/LP1_1111_copia.JPG)

Manuel has been given a time penalty of 4 hours for loosing his tracker at 9:45 of the first day. The race direction has replaced the tracker with a spare for safety and allowed him to continue.

Benjamin Koch #47 came in second at 14:52. He was super dehydrated and said that his bike choice (an Open U.P. gravel bike) was probably not the best for this route. He suffered a lot on the descents and also on some rocky uphill. 

Sebastian Sarx #72 was third at 16:56, reporting that he only found a puddle of water to refill before the last climb to CP1. Gospić polje got super warm after 11 and almost all riders suffered from the lack of resupply points.

Floris Braat #13 (18:28) and Lieven Schroyen #74 (18:51) where very happy 
with their hardtail front bikes, reporting that the extra comfort from the suspension was really helpful - after a really smooth ride in Slovenia. Lieven managed to sleep four hours straight tonight!

![P6040228 2 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/F8EQYVbwJB3olSWYfzz1N/34441bee8e49d49b36a95c60ce7e7752/P6040228_2_copia.JPG)

Markus Zimmermann #100 came in at 18:55, and left only to report at 21:35 that he has been stopped at km 497 by the border police. In this stretch of the route, the dirt road passes by the border between Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina. The custom officers were afraid that he would try to pass the border further on the road, and all our links with Croatian locals were not sufficient to convince them otherwise. This detour takes almost the same time as the original off-road section.

Finally, the race direction had to make another hard call. A detour on tarmac has been issued from km 497 to km 508 (from Boričevac border to Doljani) for all the riders after the 6th position.

Axel Brenner #14 came in at 20:07 and Nathalie Baillon #2 at 20:52. Axel took a shower and slept until 22:03, when he left with Nathalie.

![2022 TBR — Rugile Kaladyte — 014](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6AUi9RE1vEUxtqmOOcONRj/ae759c7cef70d7d0204b0dfb141a6b14/2022_TBR_____Rugile_Kaladyte_____014.JPG)

__Double Trouble__

The traverse section from Gospić has been quick and looked almost effortless, but we're about to witness a change of pace. Leaving CP1, riders will now bid farewell to the comfy ground and hilly sections to meet the first Balkan giant: Boblja peak climb. After roughly 60 km of wearing approach, a rocky single track winds up the flank of Boblja peak. Manuel Truccolo #88 is still on the lead and already on the Boblja Peak section.

__Withdrawals__

Christofer Olsson #61 withdrew due to weather conditions (too warm).
Carsten Maiwald #53 and Alexander Stark #80 withdrew due to a broken derailleur. They managed to find a spare and will continue until Risan. Urs Stalder #79 withdrew after breaking his bike frame, while Martin Stalder #78 will continue to ride.

Photo credits to:

1 Rugile Kaladyte

2,3,4,5 Luca Petrinka

6 Jacopo D'errico


![2022 TBR Dag 2-116](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6LJFVED3AniWE4J6qucWwB/900fd0b4fa25f093943733aef892aa17/2022_TBR_Dag_2-116.jpg)

Yesterday, we've left you with Manuel Truccolo #88 on the Boblja Peak climb. Little did we know of how fast this second night would have been! Manuel reached the town of Knin at 22:00: this is a crucial point to get resupplies before the second Balkan giant, Dinara climb. It's also the only town on the route with a supermarket in the 253 km long leg between CP1 and Šuica. 

After a one hour sleep stop in Knin, Manuel covered quickly the -apparently flat- riverbank that leads to Dinara cliff. The next Balkan giant within sight, we spotted him riding at sunrise and we were ready to document a time trial climb to Dinara. But we should have known better: 1000 m of positive gain on a demanding Balkan white road, where the vegetation is reduced to the minimum and wind blows strong even when forecasts do not account for it. The only way out is through the steep descent on the other side of the plateau - 20 km of hills exposed to the wearing sun.

![LP1 1145 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4ipy8xjVJTtvi7egxBLmBC/b96372c0c0a5000bd449d270eeb4d1e5/LP1_1145_copia.JPG)

Benjamin Koch #47 is still riding in second position, joined by Sebastian Sarx #72. Two men on a mission: to reduce the 4 hours gap between them and the lead! 

Lieven Schroyen #74 and Floris Braat #13 are approaching Knin, while Axel Brenner #14, Markus Zimmermann #100 and Nathalie Baillon #2 are on the descent from Boblja peak! Lael Wilcox #97 is now approaching the nasty climb to Boblja peak - good thing it’s still early and she’ll be able to climb mostly in the shadow.

![2022 TBR — Rugile Kaladyte — 015](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/202lTIxkdYLcuImjT6anJY/ec17f4612a4dd756fb3fdd4759333f39/2022_TBR_____Rugile_Kaladyte_____015.JPG)

Will CP2 in Mostar open tonight? The weather forecasts see a chance of getting around 39 ºC in Mostar plain today.

Withdrawal

Sadly, Luoise Soplanit #77 withdrew due to a crash - she's good but her arm and chest are stiffening up and the impact over the rough terrain is too much to bear.
Jürgen Mikusch #58 also withdrew due to food poisoning, which he struggled with since yesterday morining.

Photo credits to:

1 Morten Schrøder

2 Luca Petrinka

3 Rugile Kaladyte


![2022 TBR Dag 2-105](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4CDojHDMWs1xyYNmTx7GKY/dacc072a1238db8827a5538dfe9105f5/2022_TBR_Dag_2-105.jpg)

Yesterday, while the lead riders checked in at C.P.1, the middle group was riding the Velebit section. The Velebit Nature Park stretches over an area of 220 square km and is the largest single protected reach of land in Croatia. This was a smooth section, which allowed for a fast pace also in the middle of the group.

![2022 TBR Dag 2-103](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7pTXEpIKnDqkl3YOZx3EVk/b22fe1caabcb792b740220f1f7cb4cd5/2022_TBR_Dag_2-103.jpg)

Angelo Migliorati #57 and Ernesto Di Betta #69 were the first pair to reach Dom Zavizan at 15:40, followed by Theodosios Papantonis #63 and Orestis Kapetanopoulos #40. Audrey Truchi #89 and Ivana Kolaric #44 arrived at 21:30. Way to go! 

![2022 TBR Dag 2-110](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1cPy2bGtF4tAoUtcTbp0ic/4e8d8e1ab68abf2922f0a12ac43868fc/2022_TBR_Dag_2-110.jpg)
![2022 TBR Dag 2-111](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2GGXwAse1Nq20k2q9CWmFF/ccbbb92fcc7c784d2c159c18233195c9/2022_TBR_Dag_2-111.jpg)

The Velebit is (in)famous for its Bora channels: the northerly wind here reaches high speeds and it  have could easily turn this leg into a restless uphill effort. Well, I’m sure some of the riders yesterday would have enjoyed a bit of fresh air: the thermometer marked 26 ºC, but tarmac and gravel made their part to rise the feels like temperate over 34 ºC. The large plain of Gospić was even warmer, with riders running out of water on the last climb before C.P.1.

Angelo Migliorati #57 and Ernesto Di Betta #69 were also the first pair to reach C.P.1 this morning at 12:40! Audrey and Ivana have passed Gospić along with Orestis and Theodosios, and are proceeding towards C.P.1.

All photo credits to Morten Schrøder

Velebit rocks, extreme heath, and first pair to C.P.1

![2022 TBR Dag 3-111](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3GFabECCbbgDNrtvOMb56D/64cf5114219cfd8eeb26c9d6aea95e9e/2022_TBR_Dag_3-111.jpg)

Despite nature's efforts to slow him down, Manuel Truccolo #88 rode the Dinara climb and was able to reach the town of Livno in 7 hours, at 12:23.

Manuel passed the border between Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina silently and he couldn't really tell where the actual frontier line is. At the top of the climb he had already run out of water - he said - and a touch of panic made its way through his heart. He still had 20 km to reach the climb that leads to Livno Polje, and the air was already boiling hot. He managed to reach Livno super tired and dehydrated and slept in a field for three and half hours straight. You’re pushing so hard Manuel, it’s unbelievable!

![2022 TBR Dag 3-120](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/HmI8MprVSrfAiDiLuhOgJ/3473ab934edaf0acb3f72e19488279b9/2022_TBR_Dag_3-120.jpg)

![2022 TBR Dag 3-119](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6rLbX459R3k0AHxLy9CLn0/0a928191dcac491906e39df439db3ea6/2022_TBR_Dag_3-119.jpg)

Sebastian Sarx #74 and Benjamin Koch #43 made it to Livno at 16:10, while Lieven Schroyen #74 arrived just one our later, at 17:30. Lieven is looking pretty fresh, he managed to get four full hours of sleep tonight, from midnight to 4:00 and reduce the distance from Sebastian and Ben! Floris Braat #13 made almost the same stop as Lieven and reached Livno at 19:00.

![2022 TBR Dag 3-104](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1ar5gHPAoWjzPqodMmGsO0/3de521cc47a28ebb40e824b584488fb0/2022_TBR_Dag_3-104.jpg)

The Balkan giants: Boblja and Dinara (women leaderboard update)

Nathalie Baillon # 2 has been leading the women’s race since the start, and she slept only a couple of minutes so far. She left C.P.1 shortly before Lael Wilcox #97 arrival, and stopped only in Knin for resupplies. But we witnessed a change in the leaderboard at km 630. Lael passed Nathalie and she’s taking the lead of the course. It looks like the Balkan giants are her kind of climbs!

Bernarda Juric #38 and Andrea Seiermann #65 are currently the third and fourth woman on course, having reached C.P.1 this afternoon around 17:00.

Axel Brenner #14 is leading the followers group, with Markus Zimmermann #100 15 km behind him - anticipating Lael.
Nicola Canzian #17, Marco Sartori #71, and Paolo Luciani #52 are currently chasing them to Livno.

Withdrawals

Sabina Knevenic #42 and Robin Patijn #64 withdrew due to saddle sore caused by the extreme heath.

All photo credit to Morten Schrøder

The Balkan giants: Boblja and Dinara

![2022 Trans Balkan Race — 054 — Small](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5ZFntiozD31jHvly0JOUYO/a4b44a4df302b52c2c74d625c153afdc/2022_Trans_Balkan_Race_____054_____Small.jpg)

A long day - with little to no service- that revealed many secrets on our leaderboard riders condition, both physical and mental.

Manuel Truccolo #88 is the first rider to reach CP2 at 10:44 this morning. Manuel made a quick stop in Široki Brijeg after 12 hours and took a quick shower at CP2. 
Lieven Schroyen #74 is right behind him, arriving at CP2 at 12:49. When someone pointed out to the battle for the first position currently going on, he just replied “Oh no, it’s just a battle with myself”. He also left a note on the Checkpoint Guestbook for Berten De Canne #25, who’s currently at C.P.1 

![2022 Trans Balkan Race — 052 — Small](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3mPgiG6FkRd297EoP5Vk4e/ba4829f4554c5b4ce8366d081430c963/2022_Trans_Balkan_Race_____052_____Small.jpg)

Sebastian Sarx #72 arrived at C.P.2 shortly after, at 13:30. Axel Brenner #14 arrived to C.P.2 at 17:11, sat on a chaiselongue and fell asleep. We met Paolo Luciani #52 at km 800. Paolo was smiling and he looked fresh! 

Benjamin Koch #43 made it at 18:45. Ben feet look quite bad: he has wounds all over the soles because of sweat and bleeding ankles due to wearing ankle supports - which are not soft and dug wounds into his skin. However, he’s always smiling and says that the landscapes keep surprising him!

![LP1 0087 copia 2](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7e7dwIUDeD6nGQYknRR8q/fc046766c248693682c5db74ee8f927a/LP1_0087_copia_2.JPG)

Yesterday, Lael crushed on the first descent after the border and her derailleur bend. She tried to straighten it up, but she can’t use the lighter gear now or the chain would slip into the spokes.
A lady stopped her outside of Šuica and asked where she was going. When she answered “Mostar” she started waiving and explained that Lael was going the wrong way!

![LP1 0154 copia 2](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2LX0lenPnRU6MIymnHj9xL/f1a5646285d41c5a662bcbcb5b17c228/LP1_0154_copia_2.JPG)

Ally Matheson #55 decided to scratch after a long pause in Gospić, but quickly revoked his decision. He’s now riding — and managed to pass several riders in front of him!

![2022 TBR — Rugile Kaladyte — 028](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5XZnu6B4OC4aYmib3nkg7c/af9409275c721e4f5107212505fbb7d4/2022_TBR_____Rugile_Kaladyte_____028.JPG)

__Lieven takes over__

At km 956 Lieven Schroyen #74 has take the lead of the race, passing Manuel Truccolo #88 who stopped for sleeping. Is this the final MTB success or will see other plot twist further on the race?
Lieven has now stopped to sleep at km 974, with 400 m of climb left to reach the Orlovac pass.

![31a92731-b4da-4e9e-ad02-bcfafea6dedd](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6IojZ6Vr4nemXfacCeZ1TW/8c1a581859ab10dffe8d7a63e7d00d61/31a92731-b4da-4e9e-ad02-bcfafea6dedd.jpg)

The weather continues to be awfully hot: an extreme heath wave is affecting Southern Europe since Thursday 2nd June. According to weather and temperature models, the current daily temperature in the Balkans in 12 ºC above what would be the normal temperature average for June, rising concerns between riders for dehydration where resupplies are spread out.
According to weather forecasts, there will be a change of pattern from tomorrow, June 7th, with rain affecting most of the Balkans and bringing the temperature down to a more manageable daily average.

Solo:

Lieven Schroyen #74

Manuel Truccolo #88

Sebastian Sarx #72

Floris Braat #71

Axel Brenner #14

Paolo Luciani #52

Benjamin Koch #43

Lael Wilcox #97

Markus Zimmermann #100

Marco Sartori #71

Nicola Canzian #17

Pair:

Angelo Migliorati + Ernesto Di Betta

Truchi + Kolaric

Holdakowski_Wojtczak

Photo credits to:

1,2,5 Rugile Kaladyte

3,4 Luca Petrinka

6 WXCHARTS.COM


![2022 TBR Dag 4-119](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/51gYPVsPjZicutV1H8GzOf/7b03b5223026c373dbf79ab49522a0d4/2022_TBR_Dag_4-119.jpg)

Here we go again. As soon as the fourth night set in - and media crews were ready to meet their beloved pillows - the pace of our riders made a clear statement: all sleep appointments should be delayed to the finish line (sigh).

![2022 TBR Dag 4-112](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2fQc3fgiabFvwn4b81EdIS/b4fd62bee8042460fed51af1e6ed8249/2022_TBR_Dag_4-112.jpg)

Leaving CP2, 1000 m of ascent await. If you've checked the ground composition, you've probably noticed that the steepest ramps (around 15%) are on tarmac road: not too bad, you'd think. Well, think again: try climbing this section at noon, with 34 ºC, boiling ground, and air absolutely still. Would you have ever imagined missing that annoying Bora wind so badly?

![2022 TBR Dag 4-113](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/MwgW1NZZUla2z31uOCb92/ccf43ce8a4f328e27031a27d5dd46b00/2022_TBR_Dag_4-113.jpg)

The lead now sees Lieven Schroyen #74 on the uphill to Popov Most, followed by Manuel Truccolo #88 who’s stopped to resupply in Miljevina. Lieven lead advantage seems to be increasing! Is the veteran experience finally paying off? Sebastian Sarx #72 is 30 km behind, tackling the descent from Orlovac Pass.

![2022 TBR — Rugile Kaladyte — 040](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6ga4r7ISzMWvRMZR8Wcxh5/d70503b56ac5464326854ee5a566dd0c/2022_TBR_____Rugile_Kaladyte_____040.JPG)

__Stories from CP2__

Cristian Grillini arrived at CP2 this morning at 7:55. He slept at an Hotel close to Blidinje Lake,  and the receptionist offered him to leave his bike in the deposit, which she would have opened at 8 a.m.. Cristian refused, since he planned to leave at 4 in the morning, and kept the bike in his room.
When he woke up, he was locked inside the building. He managed to escape by a window, sneaked the bike outside the window too.

![2022 TBR Dag 4-105](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6vsGuHo6shoDKQPuqPldVT/ba9bc633067e294f84eeed84f0e96b66/2022_TBR_Dag_4-105.jpg)

Oh, and yesterday we risked loosing Control Car 2, a.k.a. our photographer Morten Schrøder! He  was shooting Markus Zimmermann #100 on the plateau after Šuica, and he managed to lock himself out of the car, leaving his phone inside too. He screamed at Markus, who went back and saved him by suggesting to check if the trunk was locked too - luckily, it wasn’t. Shout out to Markus survival instincts! 

Solo:

Lieven Schroyen #74

Manuel Truccolo #88

Sebastian Sarx #72

Floris Braat #71

Axel Brenner #14

Paolo Luciani #52

Lael Wilcox #97

Markus Zimmermann #100

Marco Sartori #71

Nicola Canzian #17

Pair:

Angelo Migliorati + Ernesto Di Betta

Truchi + Kolaric

Holdakowski_Wojtczak

__Good old Montenegro tarmac __

![2022 TBR — Rugile Kaladyte — 032](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4cT8FoUlEqLGzAadZ6GmVV/a8ad6d74706d83711d7c5679ca387e3e/2022_TBR_____Rugile_Kaladyte_____032.JPG)

We've left you this morning with a little more than 280 km and three massive Balkan giants before the finish line in Risan. Lieven Schroyen #74 was moving fast and quickly took care of the first climb, leaving Popov Most at 11:37. He attacked the second big climb at 18:00: a winding tarmac road that starts inside the border Demilitarized Zone of Šcepan Polje - adding an annoying Rendez-Vous with Montenegro custom officials. Luckily, formalities were brief and Lieven was quickly back to business.
1000 m of ascent to reach Crkvičko Polje, followed by a rather demanding rocky trail leaning on the spectacular cliffs of Piva Canyon. And climbing again on the road to reach Sedlo Pass, in the  spectacular Durmitor National Park. Too bad Lieven will cross this section during the night!

![IMG 0234 copia 2](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2Z32tdKW1gqjxW7mUXg0Nq/dd4e13ed2bc58a529ffe4e98c293d72d/IMG_0234_copia_2.JPG)

We caught Manuel Truccolo #88 at the border of Šcepan Polje at 19:33. He was ordering fish from a small bar, and he waived as we stopped. “I can’t raise my head anymore, legs feel good on the climbs but on descents I need to stop every 10 minutes to stretch my neck”. Manuel is manifesting the first symptoms of Schroyen’ neck, a syndrome caused by extreme fatigue that affects neck’s muscles, preventing them from sustaining the head.
Manuel also mentioned wanting to race the TBR next year… on a MTB - to actually enjoy the descents.

Sebastian Sarx #72 is right behind Manuel, leaving Šcepan Polje at 20:24. Floris Braat #14 is following at 23:10.

![2022 TBR — Rugile Kaladyte — 033](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6jlBZxSHGaQQDNs3ki9BAY/0a2bb1456f452787129b040337ed8a7e/2022_TBR_____Rugile_Kaladyte_____033.JPG)

How are our riders planning to tackle the last stage? Will it be a last stage without sleeping time?
Have you are witnessed an ultra-cycling race with a photofinisher? This might be that time!

![2022 TBR — Rugile Kaladyte — 039](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/51MndCPBFn2NB8pbXSlZqm/fb84cd268d388c743395ccd956779060/2022_TBR_____Rugile_Kaladyte_____039.JPG)

Nathalie Baillon #2 arrived at CP2 in Mostar at 8:42. She looked tired and confused, and she almost didn’t recognize Cristian Grillini, who was descending on the main road to Mostar with her only 40 minutes before. Nathalie asked Cristian how many hours did he manage to sleep at CP2, then took a shower and fell asleep. She left CP2 at 16:30, almost eight hours after her arrival. That’s the longest stop she ever had - as she kept a score of one hours of sleep in the first 72 hours of the race.

Lieven Schroyen #74

Manuel Truccolo #88

Sebastian Sarx #72

Floris Braat #13

Axel Brenner #14

Paolo Luciani #52

Lael Wilcox #97

All photo credits to:

1,2,3,5 Morten Schrøder

4,6,8,9 Rugile Kaladyte

7 Luca Petrinka

Steep climbs, CP2 stories and Montenegro tarmac

Trans Balkan Race 2022 Tracking: Riders will pass through the stunning National Park of the Dinaric Alps, crossing Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro via some gravel roads, paths and tarmac.

Trans Balkan Race 2022 Tracking

A brand new unsupported race across the Balkans opens up some new trails for dotwatchers! Riders will pass through the stunning National Park of the Dinaric Alps, crossing Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro via some gravel roads, paths and tarmac.

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Trans Balkan Race 2022

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