The Tour of Slovenia 2026 Stage 1 roared to life on Wednesday, June 17, with 119 riders rolling out from the lakeside start in Velenje. This 141.3 km opener sets the tone for five days of racing across Slovenia’s rolling terrain and delivers the first real test before the bigger mountains arrive later in the week.
The stage runs from Velenje to Rogaška Slatina with a mix of steady roads and short, punchy climbs that grow more frequent in the second half. Official organizers expect a sprint finish from a reduced group, but the technical finale keeps everyone honest.
Date, Time & Venue
Stage 1 takes place on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. Start: Lake Velenje, Slovenia (neutralized rollout for the first 6.2 km). Finish: Rogaška Slatina (two laps around the city before the line). Distance: 141.3 km. Elevation gain: Approximately 1,400–1,523 m.
Global Time Zone Conversions (all times approximate for the 12:15 local start):
| Time Zone | Start Time | Expected Finish Window |
|---|---|---|
| Local (Slovenia / CEST) | 12:15 | 15:31 – 16:02 |
| IST (India) | 15:45 | 19:01 – 19:32 |
| BST (UK) | 11:15 | 14:31 – 15:02 |
| EDT (US East) | 06:15 | 09:31 – 10:02 |
| PDT (US West) | 03:15 | 06:31 – 07:02 |
| AEST (Australia East) | 20:15 | 23:31 – 00:02 (next day) |
The opening stage looks straightforward on paper but hides real challenges. Riders leave the mining heritage town of Velenje and head through Šoštanj, Žalec (Slovenia’s hop capital), and several small villages before the road starts to roll more aggressively.
The second half features repeated short climbs that can fracture the peloton and reward aggressive riding. The climb toward Jesovec pri Šmarju stands out as a potential flashpoint. Two final laps in Rogaška Slatina — famous for its mineral springs and spa culture — add a technical sting right before the line.
Expect teams with sprinters or strong all-rounders to control the pace early while watching for late attacks on the repeated rises.
Weather Forecast and Road Conditions
Conditions look favorable for racing. Expect partly cloudy skies with a high near 28°C (82°F) and overnight lows around 15–16°C. Light southwesterly winds should stay manageable. No major rain is forecast for race hours, though a brief shower cannot be ruled out later in the afternoon.
The roads remain dry and fast. The mix of sun and cloud keeps temperatures comfortable for the peloton without the draining heat that sometimes hits Slovenian summer stages.
Live Streaming and Telecast
- Slovenia: RTV SLO 2
- International: Eurosport (Eurosport 1 / 2 depending on region)
- Live coverage window: Approximately 13:15 – 16:20 local time
Additional streaming options may appear on discovery+ or regional sports platforms. Check your local provider for exact listings closer to the start.
Startlist and Key Riders to Watch
Seventeen teams line up — two WorldTour squads, ten ProTeams, and five Continental teams. Red Bull–Bora–hansgrohe fields one of the strongest lineups for overall ambitions.
Standout names include:
- Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull–Bora–hansgrohe) — Current form suggests he will target both stage wins and the overall classification.
- Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull–Bora–hansgrohe) — Young climbing talent riding in support and looking for his own opportunities.
- Jakob Omrzel (Bahrain Victorious) — The exciting young Slovenian will carry huge home support and could animate the race on familiar roads.
- Jan Tratnik (Red Bull–Bora–hansgrohe) — Experienced domestique and former national champion who knows every corner of these roads.
- Laurence Pithie (Red Bull–Bora–hansgrohe) — Versatile fast finisher who adds sprint threat to the German squad.
Key Battles and Tactical Outlook
Red Bull–Bora–hansgrohe will likely set the tempo to protect their leaders while looking for bonus seconds in any reduced sprint. Bahrain Victorious and other ProTeams will try to place riders in the early break or launch late moves on the final climbs.
The short, repeated rises favor riders who can accelerate repeatedly rather than pure power sprinters. A late split remains possible, which could hand bonus seconds to the strongest GC men.
Head-to-Head Records and Race History
The Tour of Slovenia has produced several future Grand Tour stars over the years. Tadej Pogačar won here in 2021 and 2022. Recent editions have gone to strong all-rounders and climbers who can also sprint when the group stays together.
Stage 1 has often ended in a bunch or reduced-group sprint, though the punchier profile in recent years has occasionally rewarded late attackers.
Injury Updates and Team News
No major injury concerns have surfaced in the lead-up. All teams report clean bills of health. Red Bull–Bora–hansgrohe arrives with depth after a strong block of racing, while Bahrain Victorious hopes Omrzel can deliver a statement ride on home soil.
Fantasy Cycling Tips
Prioritize Lipowitz and Pellizzari for overall points if your game runs the full race. For Stage 1 specifically, look at riders strong on short climbs and capable of a top-10 or better in a reduced sprint. Omrzel offers strong differential value for Slovenian fans and those chasing stage points.
Stage Prediction and Match Outlook
The official profile points to a sprint finish from a select group. A breakaway has already formed early in the stage and holds a small gap, but the peloton should reel it in well before the finale.
Predicted outcome: A fast-finishing rider or opportunistic GC man takes the stage win. Lipowitz or a strong Red Bull–Bora–hansgrohe teammate sits among the favorites if the group stays relatively large. Expect bonus seconds to play a role in the early general classification battle.
Early Race Developments
As of the latest updates, a six-rider breakaway formed shortly after the neutralized section. The gap remains small and the peloton appears content to control the move for now. The real action should ignite on the repeated climbs in the second half of the stage.
