CRO Race returns for its 11th edition from September 22–27, 2026, with the Croatian stage race stepping up to UCI ProSeries level for the first time. The promotion brings an increased level of international competition to the six-stage event, with Team Bahrain Victorious arriving with ambitions across both the General Classification and individual stage victories.

Covering approximately 940 kilometres from the Adriatic coast to Zagreb, the race offers a varied mix of sprint opportunities, rolling terrain and demanding mountain stages. The team will be led in its GC challenge by Antonio Tiberi (ITA), while a versatile lineup gives Bahrain Victorious multiple options across the six days.

Tiberi will be supported by Fran Miholjević , who brings valuable knowledge of the Croatian roads, while Žak Eržen and Daniel Škerl will lead the team’s challenge in the pure bunch sprints. Max van der Meulen is expected to play a key role in reduced bunch finishes, while Edoardo Zambanini offers an additional option on more selective stages. Oliver Stockwell completes the lineup, providing strength and versatility in support of the team’s leaders.

Zambanini returns to Croatia with a particularly strong record at CRO Race. In the past two editions, he has twice finished second overall and fourth overall, while also recording three second-place stage finishes.

The opening stage from Split to Seget Donji is expected to offer an unpredictable start, before a fast and relatively flat second stage from Biograd na Moru to Novalja provides the first clear opportunity for the sprinters. Stage three, from Krk to Labin, introduces more demanding rolling terrain, while the following day’s queen stage from Pula to Rijeka is expected to have the biggest impact on the General Classification, with the peloton facing the demanding Učka climb.

The penultimate stage from Karlovac to Sveta Nedelja is likely to favour a reduced bunch, while the race concludes with a circuit in Zagreb, offering another opportunity for the fast finishers.

Weather could also play a significant role, particularly along the exposed Adriatic sections where the Bora/Bura winds can create crosswinds and rapidly split the peloton. Positioning and concentration will therefore be crucial from the opening kilometres.

Gorazd Štangelj, Team Bahrain Victorious Head Sports Director:
“Our priority is the General Classification, especially at this stage of the season when we are looking to maximise our points. At the same time, we will be aiming for stage victories, and a strong approach to the individual stages should also put us in a good position for the GC.

There are two clear sprint stages, two reduced-bunch sprint opportunities and two stages that should be decisive for the GC. In the pure sprints, Žak Eržen will be our main option, potentially sharing that role with Daniel Škerl. Daniel was racing in Belgium immediately beforehand, so we will have to assess how he comes out of those races. For the reduced bunch finishes, Max van der Meulen is our main card.

For the GC, Antonio Tiberi is our clear leader. We need to be attentive from the very first day because, on paper, CRO Race doesn’t look extremely hard, which means the gaps could remain very small. Stage three from Krk to Labin will be an important GC battle, followed by the queen stage over Učka.

We need to approach those stages carefully and, if we come out of Učka with more riders in the front group than our rivals, we can play an important role in the finale. Stage five should favour a reduced bunch sprint. If our sprinters survive the final climb, they will challenge for the win; otherwise, Max or Edoardo Zambanini could be our options. The final stage in Zagreb should be a pure sprint, where Žak or Daniel will lead our challenge.”