Rajović outsprinted green jersey in Ormož

Serbian cyclist Dušan Rajović (Solution Tech Nippo Rali), well known to Slovenian cycling enthusiasts, is the winner of the stage 2 sprint in Ormož. In the end he overtook the "green jersey", New Zealander Laurence Pithie (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe). Anže Ravbar (Factor Racing) was best Slovenian in 12^th. The stage unfolded after the unexpected interruption.

Rajović is one of the strongest sprinters in the race, so his victory is not a surprise, but he still had to fight against the strongest team in the race. For Dušan, this is the 12th victory of the season, and in terms of the number of victories on UCI races, he is even ahead of Tadej Pogačar. Until the very last it looked like for the first New Zealander in the green jersey will seal second victory in two days, but Rajović was more successful this time. Pithie defended the green jersey with second place, as well as the lead in the points classification.

The race was interrupted approximately 30 kilometres from the finish. On the descent from Jeruzalem, several cyclists fell and all doctors in the caravan stayed with them and treated them. As a result, the commissaires followed protocol, stopped the peloton and continued the race when a new medical team joined.

Before that, we watched a long breakaway of five cyclists, in which three Slovenians also participated: Gal Oblak (Factor Racing), Marcel Skok (Novo Mesto Cycling) and Mihael Štajnar (Pogi Team Gusto Ljubljana). Zsombor Palumby (Team United Shipping) made the most of his time in the break, taking over the Lidl jersey of the best climber. His club teammate Tomáš Přidal remains in white.

Dušan Rajović (Solution Tech Nippo Rali): “I felt like my legs were really good in the last ten kilometres. In the last kilometre I was looking for a bike from the Red Bull riders, and in the end I managed to make a good sprint and win. Even when I was riding for the Novo Mesto team, I had this race in my plans, I always wanted to win a stage at the Tour of Slovenia. I am so happy that I won today!”

Laurence Pithie (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe): “We were getting a little bit swamped. I knew it was still far when Ben went, but I sprinted into his wheel. Maybe I opened up a little bit too early and got beaten. Still nice to keep the green jersey, and we go again for the stage win tomorrow.”

The third stage from Maribor to Celje will be 133.5 kilometres long, but the number of altitude meters will be higher. Cyclists will have to overcome two second-category climbs - Planina na Pohorju and Celjska koča. The start will be at 11:30.

Results

Photo credits: Sportida.com, video credits: TV Slovenia