Magnier once again fastest, second stage of CRO Race shortened due to heavy wind

# Magnier Dominates as CRO Race Faces Extreme Weather Challenges

**October 1, 2025**

The second day of the CRO Race, an international cycling competition, took an unexpected turn as adverse weather conditions forced organizers to significantly shorten the stage. Initially set for 114.5 kilometers, the route was reduced to just 51 kilometers due to severe winds at the Pag Bridge, prioritizing the safety of both riders and support vehicles. The finish line was subsequently relocated from Novalja to the steep climbs of Jovići above Posedarje.

According to reports, the race’s only intermediate sprint took place in Zadar, where Dutch cyclist Alex Molenaar from Caja Rural-Seguros RGS outpaced his competitors. Molenaar finished ahead of Poland’s Artur Sowinski (Run&Race-Wibatech) and Slovenia’s Dan Andrej Tomšič (Pogi Team Gusto Ljubljana). These three riders managed to forge a lead of 1:15 over the peloton earlier in the stage. However, the shortened nature of the race meant the breakaway could not maintain their advantage; Molenaar swiftly rejoined the main group, while Sowinski and Tomšić held on until just before the final ascent.

Zadar county deputy head Robertino Dujela and director of the Biograd na Moru Tourist Board, Nives Jeličić, were present at the race’s start in Biograd na Moru. The planned winners’ ceremony for this stage, originally set to take place in Novalja, has been rescheduled to coincide with the start of the third stage in Gospić on Thursday, 2 October. The upcoming third stage is expected to stretch over 150.5 kilometers towards Rijeka.

The CRO Race this year runs from September 30 to October 5, covering nearly 1,000 kilometers across Croatia and showcasing riders from twenty teams across all three Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) categories: UCI WorldTeams, UCI ProTeams, and UCI Continental Teams. Spectators can catch the action live on HRT and Eurosport, with broadcasts reaching 190 nations globally, promoting both the sport of cycling and the stunning landscapes of Croatia.

Support for the CRO Race stems from the highest echelons of the Croatian government, including the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, the Croatian Tourist Board, and various cities that host the stages. Major sponsors like Hrvatska elektroprivreda, Valamar Riviera, Škoda, and many others are also backing this ambitious project, which highlights Croatia’s cultural and natural treasures as it rides into homes worldwide.