The Velebit section always delivers... BORA

Off to the trails!

Peggy (Markéta Marvanová) #59 is our __first female finisher__ and __4th overall__! She finished just in time for dinner at 19:37, completing the Trans Balkan Race 2023 in 131 hours and 37 minutes.

Peggy started in the back of the peloton and slowly earned her way to the front. She says she's not a fast rider but consistent and determined! Peggy is not new to bikepacking races: she's the youngest rider to have completed the Tour Divide in 2015 at 20 years old and won it in 2017. 

![SEC 4925](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/30xE85KXhBxI3Svjx76E6r/f28616773e123404733cef0f1400d9f2/SEC_4925.jpg)
Arriving at the checkpoints, she found the atmosphere so welcoming, cozy, and hospitable that she could have easily spent a couple of hours there. Better go back on the bike quickly! She overtook Jan Hendrik Oldenhave #65 at CP2, and they met again in Žabljak, 150 km from the finish line. Jan said he didn't really care about positions, and a 4th or 9th position didn't make a difference for him. Peggy had quite a different opinion. "I'm a racer. Being 8th is fine, but 4th is much better. I'll be there first!".

She only slept a few hours per night, with a total stop time of 18 hours. When she couldn't find a suitable spot on the fourth night, she stopped under a tree: "It's not as comfortable as Leonardo in Revenant, but it will do for me".

Peggy had huge expectations: she heard a lot about Trans Balkan  Race, and she dreamed of riding it. Now that she's at the finish line, she'll need a few days to process this unbelievable adventure!

Congrats Peggy, we're so proud of you!

![56A5516 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/VrYlG9N8U2cT0zEF3njtG/87bf8379599a8a11713f65a515951d24/_56A5516_copia.jpg)

// Photo credits to Beatrice Berlanda, Luca Petrinka, and Andrea Securo

Being 8th is fine, but 4th is much better!

__A SUFUR design__

__Rufus Wenlock #98__ has joined us for breakfast in Risan at 9:40! Viking hair waiving to the wind, Rufus looks fabulous as ever before! What's his secret? Must be Montenegro's atmosphere.

![IMG 6404](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/73m0v5jhrf5tsdhM3C15F6/61a2f482eb4d60b0d259be7d6f839191/IMG_6404.jpg)

Securing his __second place__ at the Trans Balkan Race 2023, Rufus had no idea how many people were riding in front of him until he arrived at CP2. Signing the checkpoint guestbook, he realized the podium was in sight!
He stopped last night for a nap in Nikšić and joined us for breakfast this morning.

Rufus's bike has raised many questions and comments in the rigs, so here's what everybody's waiting to know. __SUFUR design__ is a prototype put together just one week before the start. The tube's connections are 3D printed, and this is Rufus' third ride with the bike prototype. I guess it passes the test, right? 

Rufus has sold his bike shop in New Zealand and will be in Europe with his family until the end of October. He'll start looking for a job when he's back home but is ready to share the prototype and build it for other riders! Who'll be the next to ride a SUFUR?!

__The man who whispers to bears__ 🐻

__Andrew Phillips #68__ made it to the finish line at 13:27, completing the Trans Balkan Race 2023 podium! He stopped for the night in Kolašin and set out for an early morning ride: no chance he would miss the last day in Montenegro's endless landscapes!

![IMG 6479](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6TwO5dTQ5OcY1SZFlPiXtm/e4a57e91247fb93b00869dbfc5b0592f/IMG_6479.jpg)

Andrew started at Sežana with a clear plan: go for the __podium__. He's got quite the reputation and is an experienced rider, but this was his first off-road race!

Andrew rode most of the route in complete solitude, but one unexpected encounter after Orlovac Pass made this experience unforgettable. He spotted a juvenile __bear__ and "sat across the road, eyes pinned into the bear's". They communicated this way for a couple of minutes before parting ways.

// Photo credits to Beatrice Berlanda and Luca Petrinka

The podium is complete!

__We have our winner!__

__Max Gaumnitz #36__ has set foot in Risan at __22:14__ tonight! Fresh as if coming straight from a good night of sleep, Max completed the Trans Balkan Race 2023 in 110 hours and 14 minutes (4 days, 14 hours, and 14 minutes). 

Max has been at the front of the race from the start and has only enjoyed the company of Mathis Lauras #56 for a few hours. He rode the whole 1342 km in __total solitude__ and chatted with Mathis for half an hour! The weather has been perfect, not too hot or warm, and he also enjoyed the daily showers. 

![EA 5982 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5q6wi7n7FgIlquFYngEJjC/ae790e2cc462ef5ce538d253aa350c03/_EA_5982_copia.jpg)

Max said the route goes through the most fascinating landscapes he has ever ridden through and has challenged him in every possible way. He has made a couple of "regular" wildlife encounters but was more concerned with dogs. Max has tuned the perfect strategy to avoid the unwanted company of curious shepherd dogs at night: a loud and funny song. "My bike, my bike, my bike, my bike that has two wheels, two wheels, to wheels that has my bike".

Congratulations Max!

![EA 6032 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/64bl2DVKxtofXXJuMC6BQZ/b0d3358496490bffcf3b760e29e0a033/_EA_6032_copia.jpg)

// Photo credits Beatrice Berlanda and Luca Petrinka

Triathlon tornado

We're in the last leg! Max has less than 70 km to go, and apparently he managed to fix his mechanical issues. He should be in Kotor by tonight! He slept five hours tonight and is feeling as good as new.

![IMG 5905 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2Cf4lBi5t7KwTU2BDHRymm/016a827273a32fa74d12602d3d87646b/IMG_5905_copia.jpg)

Meanwhile, Rufus has regained a lead of a couple of km on Andrew. Rufus arrived at CP2 yesterday at 19:00 but, with no internet connection since the Bosnian border, he had no idea he was holding the second position!
Andrew arrived later at 22:03, after some night encounters with wildlife in the Zelenagora mountains 🐻. Sutjeska National Park really is a magical place!

![2023 TBR Day 4-107 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6XuGH0twhn5Yyr34bTjJkj/1f3ec505da538b838e74787f34d96544/2023_TBR_Day_4-107_copia.jpg)

We have a leaderboard change! Guess who's making a huge comeback? Andraž Hostnik #117 and Žiga Marolt #118 have been taking their time, sleeping at least 6 hours per night, and surprise: fresh legs make up for the time "lost”. They have reached and overcome Marion Dziwnik #111 and Sofie Mangertseder #112! CP2 is next on the course and we’re super excited to see how the leaderboard will evolve.

![LP1 0159 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/sSU9lfedIpqsmT3OOiAFq/a15cac3d9f1ef4db46ac580c76a5da07/LP1_0159_copia.jpg)

Seraphin Boon #104 and Diego Cadelli #105 are just behind, with a lead of a couple of kilometers from Femke Van Kessel #108 and Janno de Bruijn #107.

Peggy #56 has passed CP2 and will tackle the Durmitor National Park section by night! She's 5th overall! Eva de Vos #24 is the next solo woman and 33rd overall. Eva, you're doing great! So much for doubting you could race the Trans Balkan solo!

![2023 TBR Day 4-116 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/YjOufY4GJAB4Jn7dxn7RI/03565b5dd9641dcd431da221256022eb/2023_TBR_Day_4-116_copia.jpg)

// Photo credits Luca Petrinka and Morsch Photo

![LP1 0203 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4T8T3IywxFiq4WQHYTXc6B/1ef1f2d886edae40335884f2bf5bdb3e/LP1_0203_copia.jpg)

Last leg and leaderboard change!

Max Gaumnitz #36 reached __CP2__ this morning at 10:07 and is now only 200 km from the finish line! He has stopped 10 hours so far and is amazed by the endless landscapes of Bosnia Herzegovina. 

![SEC 5044 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4RPCkC1nOX0pIHj5yH74n6/35518e34c520f15ca57d3495d3a1e0c4/SEC_5044_copia.jpg)

Max's still looking fresh, but his bike is in horrible shape. He's having __mechanical issues__ and has repeatedly stopped to try fixing things. Will it hold until the finish line?

![56A5724 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1F5oEVcsVlPbwTPshPVUqU/73643e4c609cbce740579875bbeb02d7/_56A5724_copia.jpg)

Marion Dziwnik #111 and Sofie Mangertseder #112 still lead the pairs' race. They have reached Nevesinje and will probably stop to resupply and sleep. But guess who's making a huge comeback? __Handraž Hostnik #117 and Žiga Marolt #118__ have been taking their time, sleeping at least 6 hours per night, and surprise: fresh legs make up for the time "lost". Femke Van Kessel #108 and Janno de Bruijn #107 are just behind, with Seraphin Boon #104 and Diego Cadelli #105.

![56A5669 copia 2](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1iUttqj6THnkeWagKGOnEq/e5183cbe9d37ef32e0043a313515c906/_56A5669_copia_2.jpg)

__Peggy #56__ has passed Nevesinje and is about to reach the long gravel section to Ulog! She's 6th overall. __Eva de Vos #24__ is the next solo woman and 33rd overall. Eva, you're doing great! So much for doubting you could race the Trans Balkan solo! 

We're hungry for updates on the mid-pack! With 63 riders already in Bosnia Herzegovina and 30 still on their way, let's take a look at the general situation. 
The last riders, Adriana Karpinska #48 and Alberto Spreafico #82, passed through the control this morning, and CP1 is officially out of duty! 

CP1 has seen 50% of the riders arrive on the same night, reaching and going over its full capacity! Our volunteers have endured multiple challenges, with riders sleeping in any available spot (including in front of the food stock room, making supplies unreachable for cooking) and rescuing more than one rider stuck in the restroom (tiredness makes it easy to mistake sliding doors with "regular" opening doors).

![SEC 4925 copia 2](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2LAHL0KFCNKJDNU9BFGlfC/924b4f5fb8c9c2d7371bbcb9212d8642/SEC_4925_copia_2.jpg)

Malgorzta Warelich #96 was having trouble shifting gears and reached first Knin and then Sin by taxi to fix her derailleur hanger. She's now back in Plavno and ready to restart! She's determined to finish and won't stop in front of anything! Our oldest rider, Giuseppe Colucci #21, is in 39th position and will reach Mostar later tonight.

// Photos by Beatrice Berlanda and Andrea Securo


Updates, updates, updates, and CP2 opens!

Just as the solo leaderboard seemed to be defined and stable, here's another change.__ Mathis Lauras #56__ was leading with a good advantage on __Max Gaumnitz #36__ but has turned back. He's having severe knee pain and will see a doctor in Mostar.
Max is back in __1st position__, with Rufus Wenlock #98 about 50 km behind. Is this how things are going to end? They've gained even a more considerable advantage on Andrew Phillips, enduring in 4th position but with a 70 km gap from Rufus.
The next follower is too far away to raise any concerns potentially! … or are they not?

![LP1 0081 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1GhP7AtZYIvEGvwURstBKq/2cf6ebde23c05252ec8765ebf1fdeefa/LP1_0081_copia.jpg)

Leaving Mostar, the route reaches Nevesinje first and then winds up the round flanks of Velika Previja. Here's where Mathis turned back: one more leg, and he would have entered the never-ending traverse to Orlovec Pass! The road surface conditions here vary after big storms and require pushing the bike, either for __loose gravel or thick mud__. The route climbs again into the muddy forests of Sutjeska National Park and descent to Popov Most, home to Checkpoint 2. 

![2023 TBR Day 3-111 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3RZnrrhImwin21A8p8Sg3X/e192ec70881f30f441c4783a68e99244/2023_TBR_Day_3-111_copia.jpg)

Meanwhile, __Marion Dziwnik #111 and Sofie Mangertseder #112__ have gained a 30 km lead on David Knezevic #121 and Pascal Röhm #123, and Robert Männa #129 and Mathias Väärsi #130, who have stopped in Livno to get some sleep in.

![2023 TBR Day 3-113 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/G3rLqa9hBUaVR3LfwLp8u/6722cba06f553203dba156d0f60dac4f/2023_TBR_Day_3-113_copia.jpg)
Racing an ultra has many perks: you get to travel long distances quickly, discover new places, meet fun people, eat tons of food... But it also comes with a huge downside: if you're riding into the night, you're probably missing out on half of the route's highlights! To make up for that, we're going to take you around the areas where the front pack has seen nothing but dark (and heard spooky howling).Come tour with us in the middle of the peloton!

// Photo by Morten Schroder and Luca Petrinka

About the peloton and multiple leaderboard changes

Good morning from the TBR field teams. It seems that the leading riders have had a __busy night__!

__Mathis Lauras #56__ has made quite the comeback and has overtaken __Max Gaumnitz #36__. Mathis now has a lead of 35 km but only stopped for 1 hour and a half! Max, on the other side, took his time to recover tonight (stop time of 6 hours). __Rufus Wenlock #98__ is in Šuica, about 45 km from Max.

What's lies ahead? The exit from the mountain pastures presents a long descent on a fast gravel road. Mostar will be next on the course, a glimpse of civilization before heading back into the wilderness. This is the route's lowest (and warmer) point (60 m a.s.l.). Riders will try to make the most of the visit as they enter the __most remote section__ of the route! 

In the meantime, __Andrew Phillips #68__ has climbed to the 4th position and crossed the border into Bosnia Herzegovina. __Peggy #59__ is the first female and 6th overall. She's resupplied in Knin and is ready for a big day!
![IMG 5522](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/43hk4fMRp5Ajmj0hIxzpRI/191d8886208a52dcf13449afc51d208a/IMG_5522.jpg)

From Knin, the riders will follow the historical Via Dinarica, part of the network of trails that strategically knitted Europe to Asia through the crest of the Dinaric Alps. Reaching the Nature Park Dinara, the riders will face the spectacular ridge of Mt. Sinjal. The weather has been kind until now: it's not too hot, and the wind has calmed down. This can be a crucial section: the dirt road that leads to the next climb lies in an open field that can get extremely hot during summer (up to 40 Celsius degrees) or be blown by a northerly Bora so strong to prevent riding. Riders wind up to the karstic plateau that faces the peak of Veliki Troglav and then __cross the border__ between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

The pairs' race continues not far behind: __David Knezevic #121__ and __Pascal Röhm #123__ are riding at the front, with __Marion Dziwnik #111 and Sofie Mangertseder #112__ just a few kilometers behind!

// Photos by Morsch Photo and Luca Petrinka!

Bosnia Herzegovina, here we come!

__About CP1 opening, anti-cyclones, and thunderstorms__

__Checkpoint 1 in Mazin__ is officially open! __Max Gaumnitz #36__ arrived this morning at 8:25 CEST, looking fresh. He removed his shoes and asked if he could enter the CP with wet socks - a true gentleman! He stopped only 20 minutes until Mazin and left after a big plate of pasta.

![56A5185 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7CzaydAeNOv0XkX9Wh9p1x/4f72c95284be81547279e3b9600c65ec/_56A5185_copia.jpg)

__Mathis Lauras #56__ arrived at 11:25 CEST, all smiles and jokes. A short stop recharged his morale! He packed his share of pasta and left in a hurry.

![56A5268 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/55cYsREdgrTVOzgGaje8Ex/930d85ac94f903b3a71c64f007bc2a55/_56A5268_copia.jpg)

__Rufus Wenlock #98__ came in at 13:14 CEST. He stopped in a roofless house at night but only managed to get one hour of sleep. The ruins turned out to be infested by rats, and Rufus could hear them running around! Angus Buchanan #16 arrived at 14:43. He also stumbled upon Rufus' night refuge but didn't stop because "rats surely infested the place."

![56A5376 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/dX5bVKS3ZFP2XeoDBczSU/c242b79fe841f64d70880fedde505755/_56A5376_copia.jpg)

__Peggy #59__ is the leading woman and 12th overall! She entered the CP at 19:31, ate, showered, and left to continue following her plan. Go Peggy!

The pairs leaderboard is still very tight: __David Knezevic #121__ and __Pascal Röhm #123__ arrived at 19:28. __Marion Dziwnik #111__ and __Sofie Mangertseder #112__ followed at 20:16. __Robert Männa #129__ and __Mathias Väärsi #130__ closed the temporary podium at 20:39.

![IMG 5499 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/SfXsDi34RYWTj8nRX3L61/4aaab4eb2bdd2c806e7ba2b02e0b3330/IMG_5499_copia.jpg)

Riders leave Mazin on a tarmac road that turns into a dirt road trail as it approaches the mountains. The climb becomes gradually more challenging, culminating with a steep ramp on loose gravel. Riding down this slope requires equal attention since the incline and lose rocks can be particularly slippery. Riders will then face the first "__Balkan monster__" of the route, a demanding technical climb partially on singletracks that leads to Boblja pass. The route then crosses rural areas and karstic depressions before reaching Knin, a great location to find easy resupplies. 

![SEC 4816 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1xQ2xqMe5u2TxnSL2vyrrb/8eb1135bf81ec79c9c940b714cb202e9/SEC_4816_copia.jpg)

There's been a __re-routing from km 540 to km 556__: the road that borders Cetina Lake is closed due to roadwork. Max #36 managed to pass, but re-routing has been in effect for everybody following. This alternative is longer than the original route and will even the time lost by Max to pass the blockage.

An anti-cyclone is insisting on Great Britain, causing cold and wet air masses to flow towards the Dinaric Alps, particularly toward the peaks. The afternoon's heat makes these air masses highly unstable, causing storms and intense showers, especially in the mountains!

__Scratch report__

Wes Rose wasn't feeling good, with stomach issues tormenting him from the start.
Askan von Schirnding reported general pain that wasn't allowing him to continue.
After two big days in the mountains, Stefano Bressan had trouble eating and drinking, leaving him empty and tired.
Elizabeth Brown felt she was moving too slowly and preferred continuing to the finish on tarmac.
Guillaume Lallement tried to fix a broken brake.

// Photos by Andrea Securo, Beatrice Berlanda, and Luca Petrinka

About CP1 opening, anti-cyclones, and thunderstorms

__The Velebit section always delivers... Bora!__

We've left you yesterday with the front riders already deep onto the Velebit Nature Park section while the pursuers and mid-pack were just starting. It's hard to beat sundown on the __panoramic road__ perched over the__ Dalmatian Islands__, and the general morale was high. 

![IMG 5019](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7DcRV4ARHUzWAHfytsnymj/dbf2ee8310696f100e1345a970995f34/IMG_5019.jpg)

However, around 22:30 CEST, the infamous __Bora__ decided to show up at the party! This north-easterly wind blows in gusts on the Adriatic coastline, and the Velebit massif is where some of the __strongest__ Bora winds occur! It can reach up to __220 km/h__ between the Sveti Rok Tunnel and the coastline, which is not the case today (but it's still highly unpleasant!). Strong guts make walking difficult and riding a loaded bike even more. Hopefully, the sight of the Croatian karstic islands will compensate for the riders' efforts.

![d1SEC 4789 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3xUUPU0nXhqbWew6XWSSVN/fcb258ce2dc6c9800f0e1dae5d0c8a3a/d1SEC_4789_copia.jpg)

__Max Gaumnitz #36__ is 30 km from CP1, while __Mathis Lauras #56__ stopped in Gospić for knee pain. He decided to call it a day around 2:00 CEST and scratched by email, but after four hours of sound sleep revoked his decision and is ready to go again! Never scratch at night, someone used to say.

![IMG 4958](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4BM8HZmVKBWMMY3iZ60E1w/6a7fee506e10be0e5eabe575fa72e6b7/IMG_4958.jpg)

__Adrien Gulmin #41__ is also in the front pack, but his tracker is malfunctioning. He'll get a new one at CP1. And as we're speaking of trackers... we've got a loose one. __Seraphin Boon #104__ lost it at km 40. He's riding with his pair __Diego Cadelli #105__ and won't get a replacement. How common is it for a race to have participants lose the tracker? Two years in a row!

Descending from the Velebit highlands, the riders take leave of the Adriatic sea: the first swim will have to wait until Kotor. Now, smooth kilometers of dirt roads will lead to Gospić (the hometown of Nikola Tesla).

![IMG 5054](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/354WyVd2pOTpZMG58P4zqd/b2020f8f2b3f3f083f669e59d42e6034/IMG_5054.jpg)

__Peggy #59__ is now in 10th position and is the first woman overall! She made the smart move, starting slowly and gradually catching the riders in front of her.

The pairs leaderboard has also seen a change: __David Knezevic #121__ and __Pascal Röhm #123__, along with __Marion Dziwnik #111__ and __Sofie Mangertseder #112__, have joined __Robert Männa #129__ and __Mathias Väärsi #130__ and are all within a couple of km!

![IMG 5312-2](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4SPuOKgM1aGga6Un9AK037/5d7a61b3b6b9de26ae88098e91f287cb/IMG_5312-2.jpg)

// Photos by Morsch Photo, Andrea Securo, Beatrice Berlanda, and Luca Petrinka

__Off to the trails! __

Sežana, 8 a.m.: riders align at the start and are quickly off-road! 
The first quarter of the route develops on the mountainous crests close to the Kvarner Gulf. From Sežana, riders headed to the __Čičarija highlands__ and toward the border with Croatia. 

![IMG 4758 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2hJwOdMll0cEycY3X7rou8/c35d2b892205a9a92b081d246624bd41/IMG_4758_copia.jpg)

Čičarija has proved to be a __test__ (and taste) of this Balkan adventure: a remote and dry area where riders hardly meet anyone (or anything), but the landscapes are just amazing! From flying bottles to lost bananas, we've seen it all!

![2023 TBR Day 1A-108](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6lBn9rhQfrArzerxpmGc74/8fc87940022a24ca19fd269871c5f88d/2023_TBR_Day_1A-108.jpg)

In this section, the route follows the border between Slovenia and Croatia for around 10 km before crossing. Only 40 km into the race, and it's already time to say goodbye to Slovenia! Along with Slovenia, the riders also said goodbye to the sun: thunderstorms quickly gathered around Mt. Snežnik. Some riders managed to stay dry. Others were less lucky and welcomed into Croatia by intermittent rain.

![2023 TBR Day 1B-111 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1onqXqjlx5Pa2G7GSniKDe/44ce72e3089f37af845ece1c80bea766/2023_TBR_Day_1B-111_copia.jpg)

The first section of the route has an unusual abundance of resupply points: we’re talking about 6 (or more) potential stops in 110 km! The riders made the most of them but hopefully avoided getting too comfortable: the remaining 1240 km only count 19 resupply points.

![2023 TBR Day 1B-105 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3q0ZJoa01bfVwYp5EMWxU3/148d4ca97795345e52122c48af509fbb/2023_TBR_Day_1B-105_copia.jpg)

The climb to enter __Risnjak National Park__ managed to thin out the front group, and riders ventured deep into the forest on smooth gravel roads. Risnjak is home to the endangered __lynx__, after which the Risnjak massif is named, but it hosts a plethora of other big carnivores 🐻. 

![IMG 4823 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/biiLXfKokjNDeTBEF531c/d42328e812d7ebd7d3c254f90e55f15f/IMG_4823_copia.jpg)

After crossing Risnjak, the riders have entered the __Velebit Nature Park__, which is the largest single protected reach of land in Croatia. This area is characterized by the contrast of high summits and deep valleys, which once functioned as glacial deposits, and is famous for its deep vertical caves. 

![d1SEC 4723 copia](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1hwGaoWdm027BP8w9XJc1H/291e436c2bc8880313c7bc45460a3130/d1SEC_4723_copia.jpg)

The leaderboard is still consolidating, but the first 200 km saw __Max Gaumnitz #36__ holding firmly to the front, followed by __Mathis Lauras #56__, and __Rufus Wenlock #98__

The first pair is just behind, with __Andraž Hostink #117__ and __Žiga Marolt #118__ comfortably cruising in 4th position overall.
__Robert Männa #129__ and __Mathias Väärsi #130__ are following, with __Femke van Kessel #108__ and __Janno de Bruijn #107__ just 4 km behind

Femke is the first woman on the course, while the first __SOLO woman__ is __Markéta Marvanová #59__ (friends call her Peggy)!

__Scratch report__

Bettina Bögl #6 is scratching for general illness.

Jacques Brown #14 is visiting the hospital after a crash. We wish him a quick recovery!

Lorenzo Carraro #18 wasn't in the right mood to tackle the long way ahead.

// Photos by Morsch Photo, Andrea Securo, and Luca Petrinka

Bea Mezzena Lona

Trans Balkan Race TBR 2023 Tracking and Commentary: Riders of the second TBR will pass through the stunning National Park of the Dinaric Alps, crossing from Slovenia into Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and finallu Montenegro via trails, gravel roads, and a little tarmac.

Trans Balkan Race TBR 2023 Tracking

Riders of the second TBR will pass through the stunning National Park of the Dinaric Alps, crossing from Slovenia into Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and finallu Montenegro via trails, gravel roads, and a little tarmac.

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Trans Balkan Race 2023

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