Uran conquers the Celje Castle, Roglič was third

25th edition of Tour of Slovenia is delivering the spectacle that was promised! Best climbers on the race clashed on the climb to Celje Castle, Rigoberto Uran was the strongest among them.

176 km long stage made the first selection for the final overall standings, with two hard climbs on the very end of the day. 2nd category climb to Celje Hut made first big selection, with team LottoNL-Jumbo and their leader Primož Roglič keeping the high pace. Primož won that climb and took the blue KoM jersey on the end. Fellow Slovenian Matej Mohorič (Bahrain Merida) attacked on the downhill and again proved that he is one of the fastest in the world when it comes do descents. However 20-second gap that he got wasn’t enough for the last, two kilometer long uphill with couple of very steep sections. Roglič was on charge again, but he attacked too soon. Daryl Impey (Mitchelton – Scott) and Rigoberto Uran (EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale) passed him in the last 100 meters, Columbian star was stronger on the very end and took his first ever victory on the Slovenian ground. #FightForGreen has become very intense, Uran is now in the green jersey of the race leader.

“It was really nice day, great for our team. This is important ahead of the Tour de France. Primož Roglič is really strong, today I was just following him and waiting, and then attacked on the last climb,” said Uran about his tactics, visibly happy with the outcome. “I liked the stage, I like Tour of Slovenia, I like Slovenia, I like everything.”

Primož Roglič was the one that everybody was looking at today. Stage was up to his likings, next to that it also passed his hometown Kisovec. Primož Roglič: “Finish line was to far away for me today, but I’m still happy with the race. I’m honored that we raced in my hometown. You get goose bumps next to all those people by the road. I really feels like some kind of ‘small Tour’ here.” Slovenian favorite was the fastest on the way up, but stayed behind Mohorič on the descent, Primož explains: “Matej is famous for his descending capabilities. I stayed in the safe area, didn’t want to risk it. All was good on the end.”

2017 Tour of Slovenia winner Rafal Majka (BORA hansgrohe) was in fourth, but all that were in top-10 are still in the contest for the final victory. Three big climbs are waiting for them on Saturday, so nothing is decided yet.

First part of the stage was very interesting as well, thanks to two surprising riders forming the breakaway and staying in the front for most of the day. Marcel Kittel (Katusha Alpecin) and Roger Kluge (Mitchelton – Scott) escaped after 40th kilometer and were caught only on the climb to Celje hut.

Uran is now in green, Roglič in blue, change also happed in the best young rider competition – Michael Storer (Team Sunweb) is in white. Red jersey stayed on the shoulders of Matteo Pelucchi (BORA hansgrohe).

LINKS

Stage results

Video highlights

Photos by Vid Ponikvar, Matic Klanšek & Mario Horvat / Sportida