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 2026 Balkan MTB XCM Championship will take place within the Alba Carolina Bike Race, organized by the Biciclim Alba team in partnership with the Romanian Cycling Federation. The competition has grown significantly in recent years, becoming an important and relevant race for many Romanian athletes. In 2026, the organizers aim to take the event to a new level by hosting a Balkan Championship.
Cătălin Sprinceană, President of the Romanian Cycling Federation and Vice President of the Balkan Cycling Union, stated:
“We are pleased to continue the tradition of organizing 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.
On this occasion, I would like to congratulate the organizing team, Biciclim Alba, for the energy and dedication with which they have taken on the organization of this competition, as well as the local authorities in Alba, especially the Alba Iulia City Hall, for their support.”
Dorin Dîrloșan, President of Biciclim Alba, said:
“The decision to select us as organizers of the 2026 Balkan XCM Championship honors us and fills us with pride. Our efforts and the strong support received from the local community have been recognized both nationally and internationally, motivating us to continue on the path we have chosen.
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. The start and finish area, located within the Alba Carolina Fortress, provides participants and visitors with numerous opportunities for tourism, culture, and local traditions.
We are confident that this edition will create unforgettable memories and strengthen the bond between the local community and cycling enthusiasts from across the region.”
The event will contribute to the promotion of sport in Romania, active tourism, and the international image of our country, attracting athletes, teams, officials, and supporters from across the Balkan region. At the same time, the competition will offer Romanian athletes the opportunity to compete at home in an important championship.
It is worth mentioning that in 2025, the Balkan MTB XCM Championship took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the Romanian national team returned home with two Balkan titles: Attila Malnasi and Manuela Mureșan, who won the elite men’s and elite women’s categories, respectively.
We invite you to follow the organizer on social media channels to stay up to date with the latest news about the competition.
We would like to thank the National Agency for Sport, Alba County Council, Alba Iulia City Hall, and CSM Unirea Alba Iulia for their support.