Pogačar, Brajkovič & Fink about five stages of the race

We’ve revealed all details of the 25th Tour of Slovenia, now it’s time to get insides from the trio of great experts – Race Director and two excellent cyclists that aim for top overall results.

Tadej Pogačar (Ljubljana Gusto Xaurum) is one of the most talented young Slovenian cyclists, he will defend 5th place overall from 2017 Tour of Slovenia. Jani Brajkovič (KK Adria Mobil) is one of the most successful Slovenian cyclists of all times, winner of the race in 2012 season and one of the four ambassadors of the race. Bogdan Fink is Race Director and one of the most deserving people for the level of the race and entries of the biggest teams and best riders. They are right people to give their thoughts on the five stages of the 25th edition of Tour of Slovenia; as expected hey have most words for the hardest of the stages.

1st Stage, 13th June 2018, Lendava - Murska Sobota, 159 km

Bogdan Fink: “Start of the race and making of history – the race will cross the border and visit Hungary for the first time. Otherwise a beautiful stage in the nice countryside, with one climb that is not worth mentioning. We expect a sprint finish of the peloton.”

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2nd Stage, 14th June 2018, Maribor - Rogaška Slatina, 152,7 km

Bogdan Fink: “Again we expect a sprint finish, but the stage is not flat at all. This is why we also change the location of the finish area in Rogaška Slatina and made it more suitable for the sprinters.”

Jani Brajkovič: “There should be no surprises in this stage, eight biggest teams on the race will make sure we’ll finish the day with the sprint. But we’ll have to be careful on the downhills and technical sections, you can loose a race there.”

Tadej Pogačar: “Pretty hard stage, profile shows a great number of climbs. I still think we’ll see a sprint finish, and share Jani’s thoughts about descends and technical sections.”

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3rd Stage, 15th June, Slovenske Konjice – Celje (Celjski Grad), 175,7 km

Bogdan Fink: “Very diverse stage, with hard last section from Trojane to Zagorje and Hrastnik, via Laško to Celje. Day will finish with the climb to Celje Hut, descent to the city, small loop and final climb to Celje Castle.”

Jani Brajkovič: “Last part of the stage is very hard, profile doesn’t even show everything. There will be a lot of tired legs on the penultimate climb and we’ll see gaps among the riders. A lot can also happen on the descent. A small group will came to the Celje Castle and the strongest of that group will win the stage. Solo breakaway on this stage seems very unlikely, Primož Roglič is maybe the only one that could pull it off.”

Tadej Pogačar: “Very diverse and hard stage, but very much to my personal likings. Group that will arrive on the Celje Hut first will also arrive first to the finish on the Celje Castle. This will be a small group.”

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4th Stage, 16th June, Ljubljana – Kamnik, 155,2 km (Alps Stage)

Bogdan Fink: “This is where the strongest will fight for the overall victory. Keep in mind that we now also have time bonuses on the intermediate sprints (3, 2, 1 seconds) and all parts of the race matter.

Jani Brajkovič: “Very hard stage. Nice climbs, but very hard. Riders that will aim towards victory on the time-trial will be saving their legs here and only follow the attacks. Everybody else will try to attack and make a time difference.”

Tadej Pogačar: “Surly a Queen stage, all three ascents are very steep and hard. I agree with what Jani said about riders that want to do good on time-trial. I think the best riders of the day will arrive to Kamnik in a small group. For me this will be like coming home, I leave close by and know the area very well.”

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5th Stage, 17th June 2018, Trebnje – Novo mesto (time-trial), 21,5 km

Bogdan Fink: “Last day is reserved for time-trial, for the second time in the history of the race. We already did that years ago when Ljubljana hosted last stage of the race. Profile of the stage from Trebnje to Novo mesto looks easy, but it’s not. Finish of the race will be in front of Adria Mobil factory.”

Jani Brajkovič: “The profile doesn’t show everything. This will not be an easy challenge, some of the climbs are pretty hard and not so short. This will be a nice race against the clock, one that will surly confirm the overall winner.”

Tadej Pogačar: “I think this will be a very fast time-trial and crucial for the overall rankings.”

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Foto: Vid Ponikvar / Sportida