The Balkan Mountain Bike Cross-Country Marathon Championship (MTB XCM) will take place this year in Alba Iulia on 15 August as part of the Alba Carolina Bike Race event, according to a press release Biciclim Alba Association sent to AGERPRES on Thursday.

‘In 2026, Romania will host one of the most important mountain biking competitions in the region: the Balkan MTB XCM (Cross-Country Marathon) Championship, held as part of the Alba Carolina Bike Race event on August 15. The event will bring together at the starting line some of the most valuable athletes from Balkan countries, confirming Romania’s position as a relevant destination on the map of international cycling competitions,’ the press release reads.

Last year, the Balkan MTB XCM Championship took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where Romania won two Balkan titles claimed by Attila Malnasi and Manuela Muresan.

‘We are pleased to continue the tradition of organising at least one Balkan Championship every year in Romania, especially as we are speaking about a premiere: the first Balkan Mountain Bike XCM Championship organized in our country. Considering that this is the most developed cycling discipline in Romania, both in terms of the number of participants and the number of events organized, I believe this moment is of particular importance,’ said Catalin Sprinceana, president of the Romanian Cycling Federation and vice-president of the Balkan Cycling Union, according to the press release.

In turn, the president of Biciclim Alba, Dorin Dirlosan, said that ‘The courses prepared for the competition are designed to push cyclists’ skills to the limit, while also offering an unforgettable experience in the spectacular natural setting of Alba County.’

Partners in organising the competition include the National Agency for Sport, Alba County Council, Alba Iulia City Hall and CSM Unirea Alba Iulia. AGERPRES (RO – writing by: Marinela Brumar; EN – writing by: Adina Panaitescu)