Preparations for NOVA Eroica Istria - Truffle Tour event is in full swing

From September 19 to 21, 2025, Novigrad and north-western Istria will host one of the most anticipated cycling events of the year — the first Croatian edition of the prestigious global event, NOVA Eroica Istria – Truffle Tour.

The race, which unfolds across more than 80% white roads, offers an authentic gravel cycling experience and highlights Istria as a destination where sport, nature, and culture come together to create an unforgettable adventure. The event is expected to draw participants from around the world.

Preparations are well underway, with the Istria Tourist Board and the Novigrad Tourist Board — in collaboration with the Northwest Istria Tourist Board Cluster and numerous other partners — working to deliver an event that blends sporting passion, cultural heritage, and the promotion of Istria’s celebrated food and wine scene.

The heart of the event will be in Novigrad-Cittanova, which will host the start and finish lines of all races, as well as the central Expo Zone. Over three days, the Expo will showcase cycling gear exhibitors, local product displays, tastings, live music, and a wide range of activities for all ages.

Visitors can look forward to live performances and evening entertainment as part of Vintage Night, featuring concerts by the band Febra, performances by Haze, and DJ sets from the charismatic Mister G, who will bring a chill, retro vibe to the coastal evenings. A variety of fun programs is also being planned for younger visitors, along with a few surprises for anyone who finds themselves at Novigrad’s Veliki trg square. The Expo Zone will serve not only as a central hub for cyclists but also as a lively festival stage that unites the local community, guests, and participants in a three-day celebration of cycling and Istrian tradition.

As part of the festival program, Saturday, September 20, will feature the recreational Friends & Family Cycling Tour — a ride designed for families and cycling enthusiasts of all ages. A special ride, the Ciclo Club Eroica Ride, will be held exclusively for members of the international Ciclo Club.

On Sunday, September 21, the main sporting highlight takes centre stage, offering three routes of varying lengths and difficulty: the Malvasia Route (60 km), the Teran Route (100 km), and the most demanding Truffle Route (150 km). Adding to the event’s charm are refreshment stops along the way — located in Brtonigla, Buje, Grožnjan, Livade, and Motovun — where participants can rest, sample the finest local flavours, and take in the authentic beauty of Istria’s picturesque towns.

The festival will conclude with a festive awards ceremony and a vibrant Wheels & Wine: The Afterparty — a lively celebration where Novigrad once again proves itself the ideal host of a festival that brings together sport, community, and the Mediterranean spirit.

NOVA Eroica Istria – Truffle Tour offers a unique blend of cycling challenge and lifestyle, promoting sustainable tourism, the preservation of Istria’s white gravel roads, and the celebration of local cultural and culinary heritage.

This vision was at the heart of Giancarlo Brocci’s idea when he founded Eroica — a race born as a movement to protect the enchanting rural white roads and the romantic spirit of traditional cycling. The original L’Eroica is ridden in vintage attire, on classic bicycles, mostly along gravel paths, evoking the charm and nostalgia of a bygone era.

Today, alongside the classic edition, Eroica also has a modern “sister” event. NOVA Eroica is tailored for the increasingly popular gravel bikes — a global trend within the cycling community — and that very format now thrives in Istria.