Nova Eroica Istria

Nova Eroica Istria brings the gravel branch of the Eroica family to Croatia, and it is the only Nova Eroica held by the sea, so a swim in the Adriatic before or after the ride is part of the deal. It is staged with the support of the Istria and Novigrad tourist boards, first ran in 2025, and its two longer routes are competitive in the Nova Eroica way: timed special stages linked by transfers at your own pace, while the shortest route is an untimed cycle tour.

The routes leave Novigrad for the white roads of inland Istria, with more than four fifths of the distance on gravel, through vineyards and olive groves, along stretches of the old Parenzana railway trail and up to medieval hilltop towns such as Motovun. They are named after what the peninsula is known for at the table: truffles, the red Teran and the white Malvasia wines.

Around the race, Novigrad turns into a small festival with an expo area, tastings and live music, a gourmet Ciclo Club Eroica ride through local farms and villages and a family tour the day before. Gravel, cyclocross and traditional road bikes are all welcome, and e-bikes are allowed on the short route only.