The European Championships are coming to Cerklje

Between 2 and 7 October 2026, Slovenia will host the UEC Road European Championships, the biggest cycling event in our country's history. More than 900 riders, women and men, from 43 national teams have entered the championships, and an important part of the racing will take place right here in the Municipality of Cerklje na Gorenjskem.

The finishing circuit of the road races will take the riders from Tupaliče up the demanding climb towards Možjanca, along the ridge towards Štefanja Gora and then down the descent through Grad and on towards Cerklje. During the championships, the Municipality of Cerklje na Gorenjskem will therefore be one of the main venues for the racing, for cheering on the riders and for the accompanying events.

We invite visitors to the fan zones at the Velesovo Football Centre and on Štefanja Gora, to the dance performance in front of Strmol Castle, to the guided cycling tour of the course and to the talk evening From the Front Row – Stories the Race Doesn't Show.

Fan zone at the Velesovo Football Centre

The fan zone at the Velesovo Football Centre is intended for everyone who wants to follow the race on an easily accessible, flat section of the course. Visitors will be able to cheer on the riders right beside the course and follow the rest of the race on a big screen.

Food and drink will be available at the venue, and music is also planned for the evening. A temporary motorhome stopover will be set up next to the Velesovo Football Centre.

Velesovo is a particularly good choice for families and for visitors who want to watch the championships in an organised setting and avoid the more difficult access to the higher sections of the course.

Fan zone on Štefanja Gora

Thanks to the demanding finishing circuit and the riders passing through several times, Štefanja Gora will be one of the most exciting places to watch the road races. Vehicle access will be restricted, so the fan zone can only be reached on foot by the marked path from Adergas.

We recommend that visitors set off in good time, wear suitable hiking footwear and follow the instructions of the stewards and the police. Parking directly beside the race course will not be possible.

Dance performance in front of Strmol Castle

A special side event is also being prepared on the meadow in front of Strmol Castle, where AnimaBit Center gibanja (AnimaBit Movement Centre) will perform. The dance performance will bring together sport, movement and the distinctive backdrop of Strmol Castle, offering visitors an extra experience while they watch the elite races.

Guided cycling tour of the course with Jani Brajkovič

On Saturday 3 October 2026, before the talk evening, a guided cycling tour of the finishing circuit of the European Championships will be held. Participants will be led along the course by former professional cyclist Jani Brajkovič, who will explain the technical features of the course during the ride and share a professional rider's view of its most challenging sections.

Participants will meet at 17.15 in front of Davorin Jenko Primary School in Cerklje. Places are limited, so advance registration is required.

Register for the guided cycling tour of the course (opens in a new tab)

From the Front Row – Stories the Race Doesn't Show

On Saturday 3 October 2026, at 19.30, the Ignacij Borštnik Cultural Hall in Cerklje will host a talk evening with well-known names from the world of cycling.

Taking to the stage will be Jani Brajkovič, Andrej Hauptman, Martin Hvastija, Marjeta and Mirko Pogačar, and other guests. They will talk about what goes on behind the scenes of professional cycling, preparing for the biggest races, the work of sports directors and national team selectors, the family background of top athletes, and the stories that television cameras usually don't show.

The talk evening will take place after Saturday's women's elite race and on the eve of Sunday's men's elite race. Admission is free.

Important information for residents of the Municipality of Cerklje na Gorenjskem

Because of the races, a special traffic regime will be in force in the municipalities of Cerklje na Gorenjskem and Preddvor between 2 and 7 October. On the Tupaliče–Možjanca–Štefanja Gora–Grad road, the multi-day regime will already apply from the morning of 1 October until the evening of 7 October.

Tupaliče–Možjanca–Štefanja Gora–Grad road

The road will be closed from the morning of 1 October until the evening of 7 October. While races are in progress, it will be completely closed to all traffic.

Outside race times, access will be permitted for local residents, deliveries, school transport and other authorised services and users with a valid Zone C permit. The entry checkpoints will be in Tupaliče and Grad.

Luže, Velesovo, Trata pri Velesovem, Adergas and Češnjevek

Outside active race times, traffic on open roads will generally flow normally. While races are in progress, the roads on the race course will be completely closed.

For travel into and out of these villages, a special access corridor will be set up along the route Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport–Brniška cesta–Praprotna Polica–Velesovo.

As the access corridor crosses the race course, passage will only be possible when safety conditions allow and under the direction of the police and stewards. We ask drivers to be patient and to follow their instructions carefully.

Dvorje and Grad

While races are in progress, the western part of Grad and the northern part of Dvorje will lie within the area completely closed to all traffic. Residents are advised to move any vehicles they will need during the closure in good time to the car park below Jenkova lipa (Jenko’s Lime Tree) or to somewhere outside the circuit.

Ambrož pod Krvavcem, Stiška vas, Apno, Ravne, Šenturška Gora, Sidraž and Sveti Lenart

While races are in progress, these villages will only be accessible from the direction of Kamnik.

From 2 to 4 October, a shorter mobile closure will also be in place in the afternoons on the Zalog–Pšenična Polica–Cerklje–Grad municipal road.

Provisional timetable of road closures

The times given are approximate. Roads will be reopened in line with the progress of each race and the instructions of the competent services.

Parking and visitor access

Parking directly beside the race course will not be possible. Marked car parks will be set up for visitors in the wider area of Cerklje, Velesovo, Šenčur and Preddvor, from where they will continue on foot. The locations of the car parks and footpaths are shown on the attached map.

Štefanja Gora will be accessible on foot from the direction of Adergas, and the Možjanca area from the direction of Olševek. We ask visitors to arrive in good time and to follow the traffic signs and the instructions of the stewards.

Emergency and veterinary services

Unimpeded access for emergency medical services will be ensured even during the road closures.

The on-call vet for farm animals can be reached on 031 584 444. In emergencies, the veterinary service will also be given access during the road closures.

Cheer beside the course, not on it

The riders will be travelling at high speed, so we ask spectators to stay safely at the side of the course and to follow the instructions of the police, stewards and volunteers at all times.

• Do not step onto the road to take photos or film.
• Do not run alongside the riders or touch them.
• Do not follow the riders on a bike or an electric scooter.
• Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
• Pets must be kept on a lead and away from the course.
• Put your litter in the bins or take it home with you.

Latest information

The traffic regime may change for safety or organisational reasons. Residents and visitors are advised to check the latest information on closures, access and car parks before setting off.

Latest information on road closures and car parks (opens in a new tab)

Arrive in good time, choose a safe spot beside the course, and let's create a fantastic fan atmosphere together in Cerklje na Gorenjskem.