Insiders on S3: the profile doesn't show the real difficulty

Stage 3: Grosuplje – Postojna, 173.4 km. At the midpoint of the race things will get clearer for the overall victory, despite being a day away from the decisive stage. Definitely an eventful stage, on which Rakitna will only be a warm-up.

Bogdan Fink, organizing director: "Grosuplje is again a partner of the race and will host the start of the third stage. The first part of the stage over Škofljica and Ig will be completely flat, followed by a climb to Rakitna. Soon after we arrive in Postojna for the first time, from where the caravan will go to Ilirska Bistrica, where an interesting lap with quite a few climbs awaits us; the profile, in my opinion, does not show the true difficulty of this part of the stage. This is followed by another lap around Postojna and a technically demanding finish without a meter of flat road. The stage has some difficult, technically interesting parts and will certainly bring the contours of the final victory. At the same time, it is also an opportunity for escapees with ambitions for a stage victory and for everyone who will try to make a difference in their favor before the last two stages."

Luka Mezgec, Team Jayco-AlUla: "The stage looks as difficult as it will actually be. The outcome of the ascent to Rakitna will depend on the teams, perhaps some will want to get rid of the sprinters already there or at least tire them out. I'm almost certain that there will be no success for the breakaways, because teams with favorites always have an interest in bringing their riders to a good position for the finish."

Domen Novak, UAE Team Emirates: "The stage will be quite challenging, the ascent to Rakitna alone has a height of over 500 meters. If there will be no earlier breakaway, we can expect an attack there and rider could make a gap. A lot will depend on who will be in the possible breakaway and what the teams will want, but I think the break can go very far."

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