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United States >> 2026 UCI Gran Fondo World Series >> Baznik and Grošelj take victory at the 2026 UCI Maraton Franja BTC City
 
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Vesna Alegro Baznik and Matic Grošelj take victory at the 2026 UCI Maraton Franja BTC City

Few events in amateur cycling carry the heritage and prestige of Maraton Franja. First held in 1982, the Slovenian classic has grown into one of Europe’s most iconic Granfondos and has been a cornerstone of the UCI Gran Fondo World Series since the series launched in 2011. Each June, thousands of riders descend on Ljubljana for a weekend that blends racing, community, and tradition in equal measure.

Vesna Alegro Baznik and Matic Grošelj take victory at the 2026 UCI Maraton Franja BTC City

The action opened on Saturday with a 21 km individual time trial, raced on a flat and rapid out-and-back course on the edge of the capital. The ITT has become a defining feature of the Franja weekend, offering specialists and all-rounders alike a chance to test their form before Sunday’s main event.

Sunday’s 157 km Granfondo remains the centrepiece of the event, starting and finishing in BTC City. The route winds through the rolling Slovenian countryside before turning towards the decisive Kladje climb — a historic ascent that has shaped the race for decades. The profile traditionally favours strong all-rounders: riders capable of climbing with the best, descending with confidence, and still producing speed on the long run back into Ljubljana. As in many editions, the 2026 race came down to a reduced front group sprinting for the line. A shorter 100 km Mediofondo once again served as the qualification distance for the older UCI age categories.

Slovenia’s Matic Grošelj (A2U Bikes) delivered a brilliant performance to win the men’s Granfondo in 3:38:05.5, outsprinting a select group after a fiercely contested final hour of racing. Poland’s Artur Sowinski (HS Cycling Team) finished just one-tenth of a second behind, with teammate Jan Miazga completing the podium after a strong showing from the Polish squad. Grošelj’s win continues Slovenia’s strong tradition at Franja and cements his status as one of the region’s top Granfondo specialists.

The women’s race delivered one of the closest finishes in recent Franja history. Vesna Alegro Baznik (KD Sprint) claimed victory in 3:54:15.2, edging out fellow Slovenian Pia Bedene Kralj (Izvir Vipava) by just two-tenths of a second in a thrilling two-up sprint. Poland’s Sonia Cieciel (CWKS Resovia Rzeszów Ferrbud) completed the podium after riding strongly over the Kladje climb and holding off the chasing group on the return to Ljubljana. Alegro Baznik’s victory adds her name to the long list of Slovenian champions who have triumphed on home roads at Franja.

With thousands of participants across the weekend, Maraton Franja once again showcased the passion, organisation, and community spirit that have made it a fixture of the European Granfondo calendar for more than four decades.

2026 Maraton Franja BTC City 157km Granfondo Top 10 Men

1. Matic Grošelj (SLO) – A2U Bikes – 3:38:05.5
2. Artur Sowinski (POL) – HS Cycling Team – 3:38:05.6
3. Jan Miazga (POL) – HS Cycling Team – 3:38:13.2
4. Alexander Steffens (GER) – AS Cycling Team – 3:38:15.2
5. Marko Emeršic (SLO) – TEAM BTS Company – 3:38:15.3
6. Miran Kovacic (SLO) – Swatt Club – 3:38:16.2
7. Timotej Bavec (SLO) – KK Ribno Alpine Resort – 3:38:54.4
8. Davide Giacone (ITA) – Team Factor Hicari Stemax – 3:38:54.5
9. Ian Peran (CRO) – BK Posedarje – 3:38:54.7
10. László Záray (HUN) – Amateurs by Team United Shipping – 3:41:53.8
 
2026 Maraton Franja BTC City 157km Granfondo Top 10 Women
 
1. Vesna Alegro Baznik (SLO) – KD Sprint – 3:54:15.2
2. Pia Bedene Kralj (SLO) – Izvir Vipava – 3:54:15.4
3. Sonia Cieciel (POL) – CWKS Resovia Rzeszów Ferrbud – 3:58:25.6
4. Lieselotte Van Nuffelen (BEL) – Serso Gravelbike Team – 3:59:36.9
5. Caterina Mercanti (ITA) – MTB Golosine – 3:59:38.0
6. Martyna Wisniewska (POL) – GK Team – 3:59:38.7
7. Sophie Hermes (LUX) – fulltrottel.cc – 4:00:52.2
8. Tina Klinar (SLO) – VirtuSlo4Endurance – 4:05:46.8
9. Tina Perme (SLO) – UL Medicinska fakulteta–Medicus – 4:05:53.2
10. Lucija Arh (SLO) – KD Litijski Tempomat – 4:10:38.1
 
2026 UCI Maraton Franja BTC City Results: https://www.timingljubljana.si/rezultati.aspx?IDtekme=7016&tip=B
 
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