Tour of Slovenia 2019, June 19-23

[Lequack]

More hot racing this year. Last year Roglic won it ahead of Rigoberto Uran, before going to the Tour to finish in 4th. This year the field is a bit less spectacular, but nonetheless we have the recent Tour of California winner Tadej Pogacar along with Jan Polanc (both UAE) and also the Giro inspired Esteban Chaves. Notable mentions also to Pascal Ackermann and Mark Cavendish. Also no timetrial of any kind this year.

https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/tour-of-slovenia/2019/gc/overview
https://tourofslovenia.si/en

Live coverage Europe:
In Europe Eurosport will be covering the race.

Full startlist: https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/tour-of-slovenia/2019/gc/startlist

 

[Lequack]

Stage profiles below. Basically only the first stage is somewhat sprinter friendly, and even it is pretty hilly.

 

[Lequack]

Making of prestigious trophy for the #TourOfSlovenia winner- replica of oldest know wheel in the world.

 

[yaco]

Should suit a punchy rider - A hilly route rather than mountainous and no ITT.

 

[Lequack]

Meanwhile some people are already scouting the tough climb on stage 4. Including Tadej Poggacar at the front.

Also his girlfriend is riding at the back keeping an eye on him.

 

[Robert5091]

UAE should really boss everyone else around here. Chaves had a poor Giro so it'll be interesting to see what form he's in.

 

[Lequack]

Re:

UAE should really boss everyone else around here. Chaves had a poor Giro so it'll be interesting to see what form he's in.

I actually think he had a good Giro this time. Not GC wise, but his form seemed good.

 

[yaco]

Re:

UAE should really boss everyone else around here. Chaves had a poor Giro so it'll be interesting to see what form he's in.

Hamilton will be the leader for GC - He rides at the same level as in the Giro and he'll finish top 3.

 

[Lequack]

Polanc, Mezgec and Pogacar with the winner's trophy.

 

[Lequack]

Stage 1 starts in 2 hours, live coverage on Eurosport from 14:30. Cavendish to rediscover his old form and beat Ackermann.

 

[bajbar]

Re:

Stage 1 starts in 2 hours, live coverage on Eurosport from 14:30. Cavendish to rediscover his old form and beat Ackermann.

More likely scenarios... Cavendish to get dropped on that hill and never be seen again... or Cavendish is nowhere to be seen in the finish... ooor Cavendish is perfectly posistioned for the sprint, only to realise he is going backwards so he soft-pedals and finishes outside top 10 while Nizzolo is the team's best finisher. So many options

 

[Lequack]

Team starting to assemble.

 

[Max Rockatansky]

One last victory please.

 

[Lequack]

 

[Lequack]

The trio in the break already has 3 and a half minutes advantage.

 

[Lequack]

Some nice fans along the road:
https://twitter.com/GrilcNejc/status/1141319365478035456
https://twitter.com/yallaACADEMY/status/1141320552092700672

PS: Coverage has started!

 

[sir fly]

I'm enjoying the spirit of the stage.
... The sprint town before the buffet.

Slovenia is Switzerland of the west Balkans, you know.

 

[Lequack]

Re:

I'm enjoying the spirit of the stage.
... The sprint town before the buffet.

Slovenia is Switzerland of the west Balkans, you know.

Definitely nice countryside.

 

[sir fly]

Re: Re:

I'm enjoying the spirit of the stage.
... The sprint town before the buffet.

Slovenia is Switzerland of the west Balkans, you know.

Definitely nice countryside.

Diverse geography they have.
The Alps dominate, but the rest of the landscape is equally nice.

And the comparison to Switzerland fits beyond nature.

 

[Lequack]

There is a split in the peloton now. And Cavendish off the back.

 

[sir fly]

Re:

There is a split in the peloton now. And Cavendish off the back.

The profile says 2k@7,9%, but the pitches can be nasty there.

 

[Lequack]

 

[Lequack]

@PlanetCharles initiated the move with 53km to go and is now riding at the front in an elite group of 11 riders! Gap to the peloton 1’20”

 

[sir fly]

Surfing on the roadwave...

 

[Nirvana]

Good to see Ulissi finally riding for himself after a Giro in which, since Conti took the jersey, has been used like a random de Clerq despite he came off Pais Vasco and Ardennes with a very good shape.