2025 Ambassadors and Riders
Dami Zupi (SI) – The Man Behind the Mission
When I first got on a bike back in 2016, I had no idea it would completely change my life. What started as curiosity quickly turned into a calling: a way of moving, connecting, and giving back. Today, cycling is my lifestyle, my joy, and my fuel. I ride more than 28.000 km a year, not because I have to, but because I genuinely love every second on the bike. That energy, that passion… I carry it with me into every project, every ride, and every person I meet on the road.
DOS Srbija is one of the most meaningful projects I do. It’s more than a cycling tour; it’s a mission to raise awareness, inspire movement. This is our second edition in 2025, and I’m incredibly proud of the team, the route, and the message we’re sending. We’re not just riding across Serbia. We’re riding with heart, for a cause, and for the joy of doing something that matters.
If this speaks to you – if you believe cycling can change lives – join us. Let’s make every kilometre count.
You can follow me here: Dami Strava
NEDELJKO MRDA (RS) – DOS Srbija 4. Stage Ambassador
Hello. My name is Nedeljko Mrda, I am 39 years old and I come from Ralja. In my free time, I’m a cycling enthusiast and a nature lover. I’ve been cycling for 8 years, and the last 2 years professionally. I crowned 2023 with champion titles in both road and mountain biking in the Masters A category. I see “DOS Serbia 1700” as a great idea and a unique challenge, and through my participation I hope to make a humble contribution to its further development and promotion. Thank you for your trust – see you on the road!
My Strava account: Nedeljko Strava
Antun Brekalo – Norton (HR)
He comes from Slavonski Brod, he’s 70+ years young, and in the shape of his life. In 2024, he successfully completed DOS Slovenia and several other long-distance cycling challenges.
A living reminder that age truly is just a number.
His positive energy and ever-cheerful spirit are a motivation to many.
You’ll have the chance to meet him this year on DOS Srbija!
Serhat Eren Uğur (TR)
My name is Serhat Eren Uğur, I’m a Turkish endurance cyclist with a background in gastronomy.
I love riding long distances (also race for shorter distances), discovering new places, and pushing my limits.
DOS Serbia will be a special experience for me, and I can’t wait to be part of it!
My strava account: Serhat Eren
Aljaž Bratkovič (SI)
My name is Aljaž Bratkovič, I’m 26 years old and I come from Krško, Slovenia. I work as a lawyer, but in my free time – besides traveling and spending time with friends – I find the most joy in chasing new cycling adventures.
For me, cycling is more than just a way to relax in nature or support a healthy lifestyle. It’s about pursuing competitive goals, constantly improving through training and nutrition, and discovering new worlds. Whether that’s reaching new Alpine peaks, riding scenic coastal roads somewhere in the Mediterranean, or exploring hidden singletracks near my local woods.
And that’s exactly what the challenge of DOS represents to me: discovering a new world from the saddle.
I’m already looking forward to it – with excitement and anticipation.
My strava: Aljaž Bratkovič
Emir Kobilić (CH)
DOS Srbija 2025 is an incredible chance to bring joy to children, forge new friendships, and experience the breathtaking beauty of Serbia on an unforgettable 1.000+ km cycling adventure. I’m Emir Kobilić, coming from Bern and originally from Travnik, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and I can’t wait to be part of this inspiring journey!
My Strava: Emir Kobilić
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2024 Ambassadors and Riders
Hello. My name is Nedeljko Mrda, I am 39 years old and I come from Ralja. In my free time, I’m a cycling enthusiast and a nature lover. I’ve been cycling for 8 years, and the last 2 years professionally. I crowned 2023 with champion titles in both road and mountain biking in the Masters A category. I see “DOS Serbia 1700” as a great idea and a unique challenge, and through my participation I hope to make a humble contribution to its further development and promotion. Thank you for your trust – see you on the road!
Moj Strava account: Nedeljko Strava
Miran Gračner 🇸🇮
My name is Miran Gračner, I’m 40 years old and I come from Sevnica, Slovenia. I’ve ridden over 100.000 kilometers and have been cycling for 7 years. I enjoy taking part in humanitarian initiatives and spending time with my fellow cyclist friends.
My Strava profile: Miran Strava
Luka Lenarčič 🇸🇮
I’m a family man, partner to a passionate cyclist, and father of two daughters. I’ve been an amateur cyclist for about 15 years. I work in public administration, which guarantees me enough free time for my cycling adventures. I spend at least 600 hours a year on the bike, where I relax and recharge. I love riding through nature, on beautiful roads and rough terrain. I usually cycle with friends and fellow members of the Dolenjska Bilanca and Litijski Tempomat cycling groups. In the winter, I enjoy visiting the Canary Islands, and I’m also a fan of the Croatian islands. I’ve cycled across Slovenia on both short and long routes, and several times around the entire country. Last year, four of my friends rode the so-called Balkan Diagonal from Gevgelija to Rateče. DOS Serbia represents a new and special challenge for me, which is why I gladly accepted Zupi’s invitation.
Check out my routes: Luka Strava
David Rihtarič – Riki🇸🇮
During my athletic career, I was actively involved in athletics for eighteen years and was a member of the Slovenian national teams for athletics and orienteering. I participated in numerous World and European Championships in mountain and road cycling, cross-country, and marathons. Since 2009, I’ve been a member of the Slovenian Army cycling team and the Slovenian amateur cycling team. I compete as a member of the Rikiteam Cycling Club. In 2006, 2007, 2017, and 2021, I was named the Best Athlete of the Slovenian Army.
2023 European 12-Hour Championship – 1st place – European Champion
This year’s European Championship took place in Oriovac, Croatia, on a 21-kilometer loop, where I covered 441 kilometers in 12 hours and became the European champion.
2023 World Ultra-Marathon Championship – Race Around Poland – 3.600 km – 4th place
This is the longest ultra-cycling race in Europe. Only invited riders who qualified in the previous year can start. The race circles all of Poland, bordered by seven countries, and crosses the Tatras, Carpathians, Sudetes, the Baltic Sea, and Masuria.
Race Around Denmark 2023 – 1.600 km – 1st place
One of the toughest ultra-cycling races in Europe due to Denmark’s harsh spring weather conditions. Starting and finishing in Aarhus, the route follows the coastlines of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, looping around the entire country.
Race Across Germany 2022 – 780 km – 1st place
One of two ultra-cycling races in Germany held in two consecutive months. The route goes from the Belgian border (Aachen) in the west to the Polish border (Görlitz) in the east, climbing 7.800 meters.
Race Across Germany 2022 – 1.100 km – 2nd place
The longest ultra-cycling race in Germany, stretching from the Danish border (Flensburg) in the north to the Austrian border (Garmisch-Partenkirchen) in the south, with 7,500 meters of elevation gain.
Race Around Austria – 2.208 km – 1st, 2nd, and 6th places
I participated four times (2008, 2009, 2014, 2022), once as part of a pair. This is the toughest race in Europe in terms of distance-to-elevation ratio: 36,000 meters of climbing.
European 12-Hour Championship 2019 – 2nd place – Vice European Champion with 462 kilometers covered.
DOS RAS EXTREME – Race Around Slovenia – 1.186 km
I raced this course five times (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015), finishing between 4th and 8th place in this challenging race that runs along Slovenia’s borders with 17,000 meters of climbing.
Race Across Italy – 780 km – 3rd and 4th places
I competed in 2019 and 2022. The race runs from the Adriatic Sea (Silvi Marina) to the Ionian Sea and back, with 14,000 meters of elevation gain.
I’ve also stood on the podium in 24-hour races in Austria – 24h Radtrophy 2010 – and in Italy – 24h Montello 2010, 2011 – as well as in the Race Across the Alps (RATA) in 2012 and 2014, where riders cross 12 high mountain passes in Switzerland, Austria, and Italy. I also participated twice in the Glocknerman race in Austria (1,500 km), which includes climbs over the Großglockner, among others.
Follow me on Strava: Riki Strava
Lav Matić 🇷🇸 – Ambassador 3 Stage
My name is Lav Matić, and I’ve been competing in cycling for four years. I currently race in both MTB and road categories in the cadet division, representing BK Crvena zvezda. As part of my training, I set out to ride through the Đerdap Gorge, where I happened to meet the participants of DOS. They welcomed me into the group, for which I’m very grateful and proud – it gave me an extra boost of motivation during the ride. During a break, I found out I was the youngest cyclist to ride one of the stages with them, which made me especially proud. The next day, I was already part of the DOS team, and together we pushed boundaries by covering 136 km on the route from Tekija to Zaječar. My dream is to ride with this team next year around Slovenia, which I see as a great challenge.
Thanks to the entire team for their support and companionship – those two days remain a beautiful memory and a strong encouragement to keep pursuing the sport I love!
Dami Zupi 🇸🇮
When I first got on a bike in 2016, I couldn’t have imagined in my wildest dreams that cycling would become my way of life. I feel both overjoyed and blessed to be able to cover such distances on my bike – and even more fulfilled knowing I can inspire others to do the same. The fact that my efforts help provide bicycles for children is both a great challenge and a personal mission for me. I enjoy every second on the bike, and I’m sure you can see that in the energy and charisma I bring. After all, I wouldn’t be cycling 28.000 km a year if I didn’t truly love it. Join me and our incredible team on our journey around Serbia!
You can follow me here: Dami Strava
Franci Plajnšek 🇸🇮
My name is Franci Plajnšek, I’m 34 years old and I come from the area near Ptuj (Slovenia). I’ve been cycling for three years and quickly realized that being on the bike brings me the most joy – so I now spend a lot of my free time riding. The rides kept getting longer and longer, which led me to take on bigger challenges like the DOS – a humanitarian tour around Slovenia covering 1,225 km, which I rode for the first time in 2023. This year, I’m really looking forward to the ride called the “Balkan Diagonal,” which spans 1,500 km. I’m truly proud to be part of DOS Serbia, whose core mission is charity.
Follow me on Strava: Franci Strava
Erkan Güngör 🇹🇷
My name is Erkan Güngör. I am 23 years old and I was born in Eastern Turkey. I started cycling at the age of 15 and day by day this poison spread more and more through my veins. I have lived in Northern Cyprus for the last 5 years of my life, including 4 years of university education. In 2020/2021 I was a semi-professional rider without a team and raced in 4 UCİ competitions for the Turkish national team. I used to cycle long distances and mostly alone, but in Serbia it’s a whole new challenge. Every day for 7 days I am ready to push my limits and in the end this will be pure proof to everyone who is aware of this challenge, how strong this poison of cycling passion is in us.
Gašper Bevc 🇸🇮
I’m Gašper and I’m 34 years old. I enjoy spending my free time being active in nature – mostly on my bike, and if I still have some time left, I like to go for a run or hike up a hill.
I really enjoy climbs, and in recent years I’ve also started loving long-distance rides. That’s why I completed the Charity Ride Around Slovenia in both 2021 and 2022.
Since I also love discovering new places and meeting new people—and I’m always up for a new challenge—I’m already looking forward to riding the Charity Ride Around Serbia this August.
Danijel Ulijan – Dacha 🇷🇸 – Ambassador 1 Stage
Danijel Ulijan, a 39-year-old cyclist from Belgrade, has dedicated 25 years of his life to cycling. His passion led him from mountain trails to road cycling, where he found joy in covering long distances. He has participated in numerous MTB marathons, road races, and brevets, and has cycled to Montenegro several times. Danijel spent a significant part of his life in Switzerland, where he explored many Alpine peaks by bike. Professionally, he works in the development and optimization of e-commerce systems, leveraging his expertise as an SEO specialist.
Vladimir Savić 🇷🇸 – Ambassador 2 Stage
Endurance sports coach. I competed in my first triathlon back in 1993. I’m one of the founders of the Tamiš Triathlon Club and was actively involved in triathlon as a national team member. I’ve competed on all continents. After 30 years, more than 200 triathlon races (including 15 long-distance triathlons – 2x Ironman Kona and 3x Xtri), over 100 km runs, Everesting, and more – I still enjoy taking on new challenges.
My greatest pride: my family – married, father of two 🙂
Marko Janković 🇷🇸 – Ambassador 6 Stage
My name is Marko Janković, I’m 33 years old and I come from Užice. By profession, I’m a mechanical engineer, and in my free time, I’m an adventurer and amateur athlete. I’ve been involved in sports since early childhood – I spent 7 years playing volleyball, but not long after that, I discovered my true passion in the mountains, whether it was hiking or conquering mountain peaks by bike around Užice. For the past 4 years, I’ve been actively competing in duathlon and triathlon (sprint, Olympic, and 70.3 distances). Where the limits are – let’s find out.
Vanja Vlaović 🇷🇸 – Ambassador 7 Stage
I’m 40 years old, and sport has been my way of life for over 30 years. As a child, I trained judo, which taught me the discipline needed to achieve results. I’ve always been a runner and regularly do strength training. Over the past three years, I’ve focused mostly on cycling – that’s the sport where I’ve truly found myself. I love being out in nature, pushing my limits, and constantly setting new challenges. I’ve also adjusted my nutrition to meet the demands of intense training, and I’m convinced that’s a very important factor. Some might see it as sacrifice, but for me it’s pure satisfaction – I feel better and have more energy on a vegetarian and gluten-free diet.
I hope events like DOS will become more common and contribute to the growth of cycling in Serbia.