Jure Robič

Jure Robič (Slovenian:ˈjuːˌrɛ ˈrobɪtʃ 10 April 1965, Jesenice, Slovenia – 24 September 2010, Plavški Rovt[1]) was a Slovenian cyclist and a soldier in the Slovenian Army. He became prominent for his multiple wins in the men's solo category of Race Across America (RAAM). He died on 24 September 2010 in a tragic head-on collision during training. He was descending on his bike on a narrow mountain forest road in Plavški Rovt near Jesenice in Slovenia and impacted an oncoming car.[1][2]

Jure Robič
Robič after winning the 2007 Race Across America
Personal information
Full nameJure Robič
Born10 April 1965 (1965-04-10)
Jesenice, Slovenia
Died24 September 2010 (2010-09-25) (aged 45)
Plavški Rovt, Slovenia
Team information
DisciplineUltramarathon
Major wins
5 times RAAM winner (2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010)
24h time world record
2 times winner Le Tour Direct/Ultime

Robič won the Race Across America (RAAM) 5 times (then a record in the men's solo category): in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2010.[3] He was in the second place at the final time station in 2009, but dropped out of the race in protest against what he found to be unfair time penalties awarded against him.[4] For example, he received a time penalty for urinating in a non-designated place on the start day of the race, before the race even started. Robič swore never to enter RAAM again, but changed his mind and came back and won again in 2010.

On 19 September 2004, Robič broke the world 24-hour road record by cycling 834.77 km (518.70 mi) non-stop.[5] In 2005, he won Le Tour Direct, (7d 19h 40m)[6] a 4,023 km (2,500 mi) race on a course derived from classic Tour de France routes. Jure won the DOS-Ras Race Across Slovenia four times, the Tour Direct twice, and the Tortour in 2010.[7]

Robič was renowned for pushing himself to extreme mental breakdown during endurance races.[8] He was laboratory-tested, and his abilities to produce power and to transport oxygen were found matching those of other top ultra-endurance champions worldwide. During the 2004 Race Across America, it was reported that he only slept for a total of eight hours during his eight-day, 2,958.5-mile (4,761.2 km) ride across the United States.

From 1988 to 1994, Jure was a member of the Slovenian National Cycling Team. During that time, he was also a Slovenian national road champion. In his career he won more than 100 races and was on the podium at least 150 times. He was also a winner of Maraton Franja, Juriš na Vršič..

In addition to achievements in races, Jure Robič was the recipient of the Sportsman of the Year awards for special achievements, Slovenian of the year for special achievements, and awards for fair play and tolerance in sport.

References
  1. RTV Slovenija – Na gozdni cesti nad Jesenicami umrl kolesar Jure Robič (In Slovenian. Google translation.)
  2. Jure Robic killed in accident, Cycling News, September 24, 2010
  3. http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/raam/rcrank.php?s_N_Year_ID=33
  4. Wyss Wins RAAM, Robic Drops Out!
  5. Cycling New article, September 21, 2004
  6. Le Tour Direct 2005 Archived 2013-02-05 at Archive.today
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-12-01. Retrieved 2010-08-07.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. Daniel Coyle (February 5, 2006). "That Which Does Not Kill Me Makes Me Stranger". New York Times.
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