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Professional snowboarder and athlete at the Istria Granfondo

08.12.2022.

by Alexander Payer

As a professional snowboarder and athlete, in 2018 you decided to participate in the international cycling marathon Istria Granfondo for the first time.

After a great experience, you returned the following year and continued to visit Istria regularly.

With two Istria Granfondo marathons behind you, can we expect you at the Istria Granfondo 2022?

Unfortunately, the last two Granfondo editions have been cancelled because of the travel restrictions to Istria. Otherwise, I would have already had four starts in my books. I’m sure I’ll be back this September for some more racing action.

Can you share your impressions of the race, the tracks and other experiences from the previous race editions with our readers?

What I like most about this race is the atmosphere at the start and finish line. It can be compared to a huge get-together of friends and sports addicts next to the sea, having a fun day of cycling.

The courses are nice and fast. Thanks to their smooth surface it’s also possible to achieve a good score with less experience, and that shouldn’t be underestimated. There’s always going to be a first time you’ll give road bike racing a try.

What do you remember the most about the race?

This isn’t easy to answer, but as I mentioned earlier, I haven’t done a lot of road bike races before my first start in Istria. The scenery of the Mirna valley is perhaps the best view I have ever seen while cycling. So many different groups tried to fight for the perfect pace. That was just awesome.

Tell us something you especially liked about northwestern Istria?

As you may know, I’m into a lot of sports.
Sure, snowboarding and road biking are a huge part of my life, but I also like to climb and trail run. Istria is just perfect for that, and most importantly, it’s a year-round destination. I never have to worry about the weather, all I have to do is jump in my car and head to the sea. The mountain biking conditions around Grožnjan are also getting better every year.
And last but not least, the food is just amazing.

Tell us more about your preparations, diet and training?

As you know, professional sports are increasingly becoming year-round activities. So, as soon as the snowboarding season ends in March, preparations for the following one are already on the way. That’s why I tend to divide spring and summer into several segments and start with a long endurance training.

I often do it in Istria because the weather in Austria isn’t something you can count on at that time of the year. The endurance training is followed by the strength training, mostly done at the gym and with CrossFit boxes. Early autumn, when it’s possible to road bike again, is the perfect time to start preparing for the Granfondo race.

There’s not much I can tell you about special diet requirements or recommendations. Snowboarding is a sport that does not require a special diet, so I like to keep it simple: local, good quality food.

What would you say to competitors taking part in the race for the first time?

Istria may not offer the highest mountains or the steepest roads, but it has the friendliest people and an extremely diverse route profiles. From sea-level stretches to demanding hill climbs, you won’t miss anything. And don’t forget to enjoy a seaside sundowner after you cross the finish line.

Author

Alexander Payer

Alexander Payer is a professional snowboarder from Austria who spends more than 200 days a year travelling. He participated in the Istria Granfondo 2018 marathon.