SPEECHES
Jože Mermal
Today, as we are writing the story of already the 44th Marathon Franja BTC City, we proudly look back to the year 1982 when a brave team of cycling enthusiasts for the first time marked down a cycling route which has over the decades become much more than just a sporting event. Franja has become a movement, a symbol of perseverance, friendship, bringing generations and communities together.
Friends of Marathon Franja BTC City!
Today, as we are writing the story of already the 44th Marathon Franja BTC City, we proudly look back to the year 1982 when a brave team of cycling enthusiasts for the first time marked down a cycling route which has over the decades become much more than just a sporting event. Franja has become a movement, a symbol of perseverance, friendship, bringing generations and communities together.
Marathon Franja BTC City is the largest and most attended cycling event in Slovenia, intended for top cyclists, recreational cyclists and families. It is also one of the largest recreational and amateur cycling events globally, boasting tremendous recognition and having a status of the main cycling event for numerous Slovenian and international cycling enthusiasts. Each year, tens of thousands of spectators cheer on cyclists along the routes and thereby create the atmosphere we see at the biggest of races.
Every year, we strive to upgrade the event also in the field of sustainability and thereby set an example for responsible environmental management. Franja is a testament to the fact that events with a large number of participants and spectators may coexist with the environment if we have the right vision and our heart is in the right place. Every year, the event brings together over 6,000 cyclists, 2,600 members of the organising team and volunteers and several thousands of cycling fans.
Franja, however, is not just a sporting event, it is a celebration, bringing together people who share the love of sports and active spending of free time.
I want to sincerely thank everyone who have wholeheartedly and with commitment been co-creating Franja’s story.
Jože Mermal,
President of the Marathon Franja BTC City Organising Committee and
Chairman of the Board of Directors at BTC, d. d.
mag. Damjan Kralj
Every year, Ljubljana and the entire region are swept off their feet by the cycling spirit of Marathon Franja BTC City, which is a testament to the tight connection among sport, economy, tourism and the local community. As a general sponsor for 23 years, we are proud to have the privilege of being able to co-create an event that has surpassed all sports milestones and has become an important sporting event with an inspiring energy, which encourages physical activity and cooperation, ...
BTC City – The Heart of Cycling Slovenia
Every year, Ljubljana and the entire region are swept off their feet by the cycling spirit of Marathon Franja BTC City, which is a testament to the tight connection among sport, economy, tourism and the local community. As a general sponsor for 23 years, we are proud to have the privilege of being able to co-create an event that has surpassed all sports milestones and has become an important sporting event with an inspiring energy, which encourages physical activity and cooperation, and strengthens the importance of sustainable mobility.
For BTC City Ljubljana, Marathon Franja is much more than just an event. It is an opportunity to bring visitors, partners and the local community together in our city. During Marathon Franja, BTC City becomes the heart of cycling Slovenia, a crossroads of sports excitement, business opportunities and the tourist vibe of the city. Through hospitality and excellence, we co-create an experience that attracts numerous visitors from abroad, as well.
We are excited to see more and more female cyclists attending the marathon with each passing year, which speaks volumes to the growingly inclusive character of the event and to opening up recreational and competitive cycling to female cyclists. Such diversity is a value we – as a company – incorporate and “live” also in our business environment.
That’s why our company is looking forward to the second weekend in June when BTC City as a venue of advanced ideas, top offers and cooperation will be filled with the sports energy of thousands – organisers, supporters, athletes and fans.
Thank you to all who help co-write the Marathon Franja BTC City story.
Damjan Kralj, M. Sc.,
Chief Executive Director of BTC
Helena Petrin
Dear cycling enthusiasts, colleagues, partners, and supporters of the Maraton Franja BTC City. With great pride and satisfaction, I have been a supporter of our esteemed cycling marathon for many years. Maraton Franja BTC City has been a synonym for passion, perseverance, and community connection for decades, as reflected each spring when a cycling multitude descends upon the route of this prestigious event.
Dear cycling enthusiasts, colleagues, partners, and supporters of the Maraton Franja BTC City,
With great pride and satisfaction, I have been a supporter of our esteemed cycling marathon for many years. Maraton Franja BTC City has been a synonym for passion, perseverance, and community connection for decades, as reflected each spring when a cycling multitude descends upon the route of this prestigious event.
Our journey has been filled with exceptional moments and significant achievements. Over the years, we have built a strong community that transcends the borders of Slovenia, becoming one of the key events on the European cycling calendar. We are proud of our collective efforts, which have transformed Maraton Franja BTC City into more than just a sports event; it has become a symbol of mutual respect, a healthy lifestyle, and an immense community spirit.
Throughout the years, we have proven that, despite challenges, we can provide an outstanding experience for every participant. Our commitment to continuous improvements in this well-recognized European competition has ensured that each marathon is not just a sports event but a celebration of cycling for all participants, regardless of age or physical fitness, and for the people who enthusiastically follow it along the entire route.
My excitement and joy are heightened when I consider the broader spectrum of the marathon, impacting the rise of programs for young cyclists, promoting sustainable mobility, and charitable initiatives that are essential parts of our identity. Through these activities, we not only promote cycling as a sport but also as a way of life contributing to a healthier and more connected society.
Now, as we look towards the future, we are focused on further developing and growing Maraton Franja BTC City. Our goal is to continue improving the participants’ experiences, expanding our influence, and contributing to the global cycling community. I sincerely hope that, on this exciting journey, we will continue together and continually enhance the successful story called Maraton Franja BTC City.
I express my gratitude to all organizers who ensure the flawless execution of the marathon, to all cyclists participating, and to those eagerly following, supporting, and anticipating the marathon. I only wish that the community of cyclists, supporters of cycling, and organizers of our Franja continue to grow and evolve, making us even larger, more connected, and continuing to cycle on the path of excellence, innovation, and community solidarity.
Zoran Janković
June is a very special month in Ljubljana, also due to the annual cycling festival – Marathon Franja BTC City. In the marathon’s already 44th edition, recreational cyclists and entire cycling families will ride different courses across Ljubljana and its vicinity.
Franja brings us together
June is a very special month in Ljubljana, also due to the annual cycling festival – Marathon Franja BTC City. In the marathon’s already 44th edition, recreational cyclists and entire cycling families will ride different courses across Ljubljana and its vicinity.
Once again I’m excited about the start of Marathon Franja in BTC City Ljubljana. Seeing huge numbers of cyclists, full of energy and in high spirits, is an exceptional feeling. I’ll cheer for all the racers, but you are all winners to me! What pleases me most is the attention that the Marathon Franja organisers give to families, setting a great example and helping to mould new cyclists.
Organising Marathon Franja is a demanding task. Every year, Jože Mermal, President of the Marathon Franja Organising Committee, and Gorazd Penko, Marathon Franja Director, along with the organisers put in exceptional work and raise the entire event onto a higher level. I would like to sincerely congratulate all collaborating in this unique event. I am convinced that this year we’ll have the best Franja ever.
Ljubljana is a city with a cycling soul. People of Ljubljana hop on their bicycles to run their everyday errands and many spend their time, intended for recreation, on the bikes. Cycling is one of the healthiest modes of mobility. That’s why the City Municipality of Ljubljana gives special attention to safe and modern cycling infrastructure and encourages recreational cycling with new cycling infrastructure and other cycling areas, as well as free programmes Let’s Hop on the Bike (Gremo na kolo). And as a cherry on top – Ljubljana is also home to Marathon Franja!
I wish all the participants a great ride and invite all others to join us cheering them on along the courses, helping them reach their goals more easily.
Dear cyclists, welcome to the most beautiful city in the world!
Zoran Janković,
Mayor of City Municipality of Ljubljana
Andrej Hauptman
The Kolesarsko društvo Rog Ljubljana cycling club is proudly writing the 44th chapter of the Marathon Franja story. For decades, we have been creating an event which combines the passion of cycling and the rich tradition of our club in moulding young cycling talents. Over the years, we have witnessed the rise of numerous top cyclists who have left an indelible mark on the international cycling, among them the most prominent being our former team member Tadej Pogačar.
The Kolesarsko društvo Rog Ljubljana cycling club is proudly writing the 44th chapter of the Marathon Franja story. For decades, we have been creating an event which combines the passion of cycling and the rich tradition of our club in moulding young cycling talents. Over the years, we have witnessed the rise of numerous top cyclists who have left an indelible mark on the international cycling, among them the most prominent being our former team member Tadej Pogačar.
Marathon Franja is not only the largest Slovenian cycling event for recreational cyclists, it has also become a complete cycling platform, as it joins as much as seven different events! We are proud to see the event constantly growing in terms of the number of participants as well as in terms of organisation, which is a result of the exceptional engagement and collaboration by the entire KD Rog cycling club.
This year’s Franja novelty is the Ljubljana Dragon MTB Challenge which will definitely bring excitement to all mountain-biking enthusiasts. Marathon Franja remains a cycling festival for all generations of cyclists. Once again, our Family Marathon will see participation of members of vulnerable groups and primary school pupils, and actively encourage young people to participate in it.
It pleases us to see the number of the Marathon Franja participants once again rising after the pandemic, in terms of Slovenian cyclists as well as cyclists from abroad who have all recognised the uniqueness of this event.
We believe that sport is an important part of a healthy and fulfilled life. Besides our sporting achievements, we teach young cyclists the values that will accompany them on all paths through their lives.
We invite you to join us at the 44th Marathon Franja and co-create this amazing cycling event that combines recreation, socialising and love of cycling. See you at Franja!
Andrej Hauptman, President of KD Rog
Gorazd Penko
We are proudly looking forward to the 44th Marathon Franja BTC City! Between 13 and 15 June of this year, we will once again tackle cycling courses, bringing together people of different ages, different communities, and spreading the love for physical activity, nature and sports.
Dear cycling fans, friends and co-creators of Marathon Franja,
We are proudly looking forward to the 44th Marathon Franja BTC City! Between 13 and 15 June of this year, we will once again tackle cycling courses, bringing together people of different ages, different communities, and spreading the love for physical activity, nature and sports.
For a long time now, Marathon Franja has not been merely a sporting event – it is a movement which brings together the youngest cyclists, cycling fans and the most persistent recreational cyclists and amateur racers. This year, we are proud to present a new course – Ljubljana Dragon MTB Challenge – intended for all fans of mountain-biking and nature trails. Thereby, Marathon Franja BTC City comprises seven different courses, offering something for everyone – from the youngest pushing the pedals for the first time to more experienced cyclists tackling bigger challenges.
We are happy to greet new marathon partners who believe in our healthy vision and who have with their contribution made further advancement of the event possible. We would like to sincerely express our gratitude to all those who have been supporting us for many years – without your support, Franja wouldn’t be what it is today.
Once again, special attention is given to the young people. With the Family Marathon for children and their parents, we wish to encourage active spending of free time, strengthen the bonds and create a positive routine already in early childhood. As you know – once you learn how to ride a bike, you will never ever forget it.
For over a quarter of a century, Slovenia has seen a real cycling boom, both at professional and amateur cycling levels. We are proud to see Franja contributing to this greatly for more than four decades. The cycling story started with three Marathon Franja pioneers – Zvone Zanoškar, Tone Fornezzi – Tof and Janez Winkler. With their passion and vision, they have paved the course on which thousands cycle today. Their vision and persistence inspire us to this day, as Marathon Franja preserves their values and at the same time grows with the emerging modern trends.
Dear cyclists, crew members, volunteers, supporters and all spectators along the courses – thank you for being a part of this majestic story. May kilometres, smiling faces and unforgettable energy that only Franja can muster bring us together once again in June of this year.
Join us!
