Odštevamo ure do jubilejne, 30. dirke Po Sloveniji

V Murski Soboti je vse pripravljeno za začetek prve izmed petih etap, ki bodo povezale Slovenijo in vse sosednje države, prav tako pa tudi vrhunske kolesarje in ekipe ter zagotovo številne navijače. Končni zmagovalec bo znan v nedeljo v Novem mestu, do tam pa čaka kolesarje iz 31 držav še veliko zahtevnih kilometrov.

We have done lots of kilometers since May 1993, when first ever Tour of Slovenia took place. The race has developed into one of the biggest sporting events in Slovenia, while it also found its place & recognition in the international cycling calendar. The progress of the race is more evident than ever, with seven WorldTour teams at the start of the race, and more than a few strong riders from the rest of the lineup. The number one back number will be worn by the defending champion, Italian Filippo Zana (Team Jayco AlUla), who will certainly have no easy task if he wants back to back victories. The overall winner will probably be decided in the stages 3 & 4, both with number of climbs, stage 4 finish is on top of the first category climb to Krvavec. If the race stays open after that, the climb to Trška gora will decide the race, as it’s located just kilometers away from the finish line in Novo mesto. First two stages, with finishes in Ormož and Rogaška Slatina, are more or less reserved for the sprinters, but the breakaway riders should never be written off completely.

Slovenian riders will certainly try to show their strength on the local roads. Matej Mohorič (Bahrain Victorious) & Domen Novak (UEA Team Emirates) are candidates for the stage victories and overall standings, Matej has also won the last stage last year. Luka Mezgec (Team Jayco AlUla) will be a leadout for Dylan Groenewegen but might also get a chance to score another victory on the home turf. There is no single favorite for the race, many riders will look for top result, including Jhonatan Narváez (INEOS Grenadiers), who was the only rider next to Tadej Pogačar who was wearing pink at this year's Giro.

The fans are waiting for the race, and for sure they will make the country even greener, especially with each of the host cities preparing something special for the arrival of the peloton.

Stages of the 30th Tour of Slovenia:

Stage 1: Murska Sobota - Ormož (191,9 km)

Stage 2: Žalec - Rogaška Slatina (177,9 km)

Stage 3: Ljubljana - Nova Gorica (160.5 km)

Stage 4: Škofljica - Krvavec (147.2 km)

Stage 5: Šentjernej - Novo mesto (156,9 km)

QUOTES AT THE START OF THE 30TH TOUR OF SLOVENIA:

Matej Mohorič, Bahrain Victorious: "I fully recovered after the injury, which took longer than I would have liked. I'm now five weeks into the training period and I'll get into a rhythm for the biggest race of the season. After the new experience at Unbound Gravel, where we were not the best prepared for the conditions, I am now back on home ground, and we are better prepared here. I like racing in front of my home fans, on the roads where I grew up. For me, it's also a better race, in my opinion just hard enough. I'll get used to the race pace in five stages, but at the same time I will not get too tired before the Tour de France. If my fellow riders here ‘booked’ wins on the first, second and fourth stages, then I'll take the third and fifth."

Filippo Zana, Team Jayco AlUla: “I know I'm here as a defending champion, but I'm a little bit tired after Giro. Still, I will try to do my best and have a good race. We're here in Slovenia with a very strong team, we'll all try to do good, on the individual stages with Dylan, and also in the general classifications. I think 4th stage suits me the best, meanwhile Dylan for sure aims at stages one and two.”

Alexander Kristoff, Uno-X Mobility: “Me personally and some other guys will use this race to prepare for the Tour. This is my first time in Slovenia, I was looking forward to it, to experience something different. It's a good build up for racing on the Tour. I hope for a stage win in the next days, the GC might be too much. We'll try to do something every day, but we know that the level of the race is hard and it's not going to be easy. We're all expecting a sprint finish on first and second stage, last three look though, there is going to be a lot of selection.”

Damjan Anželj, Mayor of the Municipality of Murska Sobota: "Welcome to Murska Sobota, we are extremely happy that the race is returning to Murska Sobota. A few years ago we hosted the stage finish, today we are hosting a start, and even the start of the race.
We are extremely honored to host such eminent teams and all these top athletes. I am sure that our proverbial hospitality will come through and that you will have a great time.
Cycling is very popular in Murska Sobota and in the region as a whole. Our plain with some climbs is also very welcome and appreciated, so cyclists like to come back here. In the Municipality of Murska Sobota, we actually strive for events that are different from the average, and the Tour of Slovenia is certainly one of them. Such events generate development not only for the municipality, but for the whole region, and I would like to reiterate my personal satisfaction that the start of the 30th edition of the race will take place here.
I wish everyone a pleasant stay and lots of success."

MSc. Maja Pak, the Director of the Slovenian Tourist Board: "The Tour of Slovenia exemplifies successful partnership between the organizer, the STB and various destinations, collectively developing a sports-tourism product that enhances Slovenia's international visibility as a green country, with sport and a healthy lifestyle deeply rooted in its traditions. For the seventh consecutive year, the STB, in partnership with the Eurosport TV network and 46 destinations, has positioned Slovenia as an authentic, sustainable and green destination, offering numerous opportunities for unique experiences for lovers of active and inspiring adventures. Over the past years, our Eurosport coverage has reached more than 56 million viewers. We are very proud to continue bringing the beautiful images of our country to sports fans around the world." 

Marko Lekše, President of Cycling club Adria Mobil and chairman of the organizing committee: "We are delighted that the 30th edition of the Tour of Slovenia is taking place in such splendor. When we started 31 years ago, we never imagined that the race would reach the level and the visibility that we see today. We are proud that our work has achieved this, and of course it would not have been possible without the support of our partners and sponsors. We thank the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport, we thank the Slovenian Tourist Board, we thank all the other sponsors and partners, we thank all the municipalities and destinations that have welcomed and hosted us. All this makes the Tour of Slovenia a cycling holiday, a holiday with worldwide coverage.
It wouldn't be the same without the riders. Slovenian cyclists are at the very top of world cycling, but we also have to recognize all the hard work that takes place away from the spotlights, and with that I’m thinking of riders and staff alike. We certainly did not dare to dream that Slovenia would become a cycling superpower, but we are very proud of it.
I wish all the cyclists all the best and may the best man win.
The April weather has lasted for three months, but I believe that the 30th edition will be at least as good as last year. Good luck!"

Photo: Sportida