Mud, pines and podiums: the Croatian cyclocross championship came to Ljubač
CX Ljubač 2026 turned our winter trails into a race course for the national cyclocross championship, from the youngest riders to the elite.
In the middle of January, when the bay is quiet and the light is golden, Ljubač did something new: it hosted CX Ljubač 2026, the National Championship of Croatia in cyclocross, organised by BK Sljeme with the Croatian Cycling Federation.
Cyclocross is cycling’s wildest winter sport. Short, fast laps on dirt, grass and stone, sharp corners between the pines, little climbs where you jump off and run with the bike on your shoulder, and plenty of mud. The trails around Ljubač, with their olive groves, pine woods and dry-stone walls, turned out to be made for it.
A weekend for every age
The start lists went from the under-11s all the way to the elite. The new Croatian champions are Sporčić and Bošnjak, and clubs from all over the country came home with medals.
One of them, Škola biciklizma Zagreb, raced with a big team from U11 to elite and went home “bathed in sun” with three silver medals: in the U14, U17 and elite men’s races. In their own words, what mattered most at the first race of the season was fun, being together and supporting the whole event. We couldn’t have said it better.
Ride it yourself
You don’t need a race number to enjoy these trails. Gravel roads, olive groves and coastal views start right outside the camp. Ask us for our favourite routes, and bring the bike.
Congratulations to all the riders and a big thank you to the organisers. Full results are published by the timekeeper, Chrono.hr.
