Tour of Slovenia 2025, June 4 - 8

[Lequack]

So it was UAE who did the lead out for Groenewegen?

 

[CyclistAbi]

Groenewegen, mythical sprinter in Slovenia, 6 wins!

 

[AupaPyama]

yep, good sprint from Groenewegen indeed, especially as his leadout was much worse than you'd expect from Walscheid and Mezgec, in a field like this.

The leadouts of Mezgec in the past were great but it is some time ago and most of the time DG doenst follow his own train and gets lost somewhere in the bunch. On paper Mezgec/Walscheid is an ideal train. Never understand what Reinders is doing there (even in the Tour!).

 

[yaco]

The leadouts of Mezgec in the past were great but it is some time ago and most of the time DG doenst follow his own train and gets lost somewhere in the bunch. On paper Mezgec/Walscheid is an ideal train. Never understand what Reinders is doing there (even in the Tour!).

Well if you watched how Reinders threaded through the peleton from 3kms to 2kms you can see why he is valued. In saying that, I wouldn't bring Reinders to the TDF because Matthews can lead into the sprint train. The main thing in the TDF is to get Groenewegen to the final in a decent position, because he can find his own way in the last kms with his racing instincts. The 2024 TDF was a bit of disaster because Groenewegen only made 2 finals, one which he won and one where he was blocked.

 

[Lequack]

Today's stage might be enough of up and down to tire a sprinter. Doesn't look much on the profile, but there a lot of short stingy climbs.

 

[Lequack]

It's not a coincidence. Pogacar is a sponsor of that team, it's actually a team he himself started as a kid. A lot of young talent, I think there is also a Pogi team for junior riders as well.

Here he is racing for that team (different name at the time) at 18 years of age (with English subtitles):

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mq7E8ID7Fo

Among the teams present is Pogi Team Gusto Ljubljana, closely linked to Kolesarsko društvo Rog, a Slovenian cycling institution with over 70 years of history.The name "Pogi" refers to Tadej Pogačar (UAD), who himself was trained within this structure. In 2025, he extended his support to the elite team.The team's staff includes a former Slovenian professional: Luka Pibernik, who played for Lampre and Bahrain.The two riders to watch in this Tour of Slovenia are Mihael Stajnar and Oliver Sims, especially during the queen stage.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1930527511185862772

View: https://x.com/RenaudB31/status/1930527511185862772

 

[Lequack]

Some pics

 

[Lequack]

Peloton split into two parts on the big climb. Bauhaus in the first peloton, Groenewegen in the 2nd almost a minute back.
PS: Live TV coverage has started!

 

[Lequack]

Now the front peloton has also split because of the wind. Good racing!

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Peloton split into two parts on the big climb. Bauhaus in the first peloton, Groenewegen in the 2nd almost a minute back.
PS: Live TV coverage has started! Also on Tiz, if you don't have Eurosport/Max/Discovery+/TNT

Also, if you have a VPN and don't mind a little Slovenian it's on
TV Slovenija

While I probably understand only about every 5th word of Slovenian I like that they have a split screen for the race and the ads - that way the race doesn't get totally interrupted by advertising!

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Now the front peloton has also split because of the wind. Good racing!

The weather and the scenery are lovely too! (They showed some horses earlier. )

While I'm not familiar with Uriarte I am familiar with the Kern jersey because it reminds me of Wrigley's Doublemint gum packaging.

51km to go

 

[Tricycle Rider]

And Uriarte has just been caught by the peloton

 

[Lequack]

Groenewegen still behind. These are some really hilly roads, beautiful but hard to race.

 

[Lequack]

And now UAE have dropped their own sprinter Molano by riding too hard.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Good crowds for what look to be isolated villages they are riding through, 25km to go

 

[search]

Bax and Oliveira on the attack again together

edit: but this time it's Rui, not Ivo.

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

A group of 7 with a gap of over 30 seconds with 12 km to go!

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Lopez tired of the peloton is chasing group 1

 

[search]

El Patron. A monster on the flat, as we all now.

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

Oliveira wins. Grosschartner, Geoghen Hart and A.Halland Johannessen in prime position for the GC.

 

[search]

Oliveira celebrates like he won the World Championships. Let's hope he gets to keep the win. Looked okay to me.

 

[Tim Cahill]

If Tao is close to his best then GC is over, though the boy is a total enigma.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Chapeau Oliveira!

For such a rather smallish race the TV coverage and heli shots have been terrific, btw.

 

[tobydawq]

Oliveira celebrates like he won the World Championships. Let's hope he gets to keep the win. Looked okay to me.

The enthusiasm of the Oliveira brothers is quite endearing.

But yeah, it was probably a bit unnecessary to do that to Christen.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Oliveira saying in interview he's been with UAE for seven years and he has finally won a stage for them!