Tour of Slovenia Stage 2 2026 Live: Red Bull Eyes Control on Scenic Drava Bike Route

The 2026 Tour of Slovenia Stage 2 from Radlje ob Dravi to Ormož is rolling right now. At 5:00 pm IST the peloton is deep into the 181.8 km test that winds along the famous Drava cycling path through eastern Slovenia’s rolling countryside.

Laurence Pithie already sits in the yellow jersey after a dominant Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe 1-2 on Stage 1. Today the team looks ready to keep the pressure high on another day that mixes flat valley roads with a sting in the tail.

Date, Time & Venue – Global Time Zone Conversions

Stage 2 starts in the small town of Radlje ob Dravi for the first time in race history. The finish comes in Ormož after 181.8 km of racing that follows the Drava River for long stretches.

Route Report & Weather

The stage carries the name “Drava Bike” for good reason. Riders roll out of Radlje ob Dravi and immediately join the dedicated cycling path that hugs the river. Early sections offer classic breakaway terrain. The middle part stays mostly flat through towns like Ptuj and Hajdina. The sting comes late with the traditional climb to Jeruzalem before the run-in to Ormož.

Weather on the ground looks mostly cooperative. Expect partly cloudy skies and highs around 28–29 °C (83 °F). Isolated thunderstorms could develop late in the afternoon. Any rain would make the final kilometers tricky but would not change the fundamental character of the stage.

Key features include an intermediate sprint in Ptuj and another near Zavrč close to the Croatian border. The Cat. 3 Janževski vrh climb comes early. The Cat. 4 Jeruzalem ascent near the finish is the real test.

Team News & Key Riders

Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe arrived in Slovenia with serious intentions. They already proved it on Stage 1 when Laurence Pithie and Arne Marit finished 1-2 after the German squad dropped most of the pure sprinters.

Florian Lipowitz sits as the team’s big GC hope. The German is using this race as sharp preparation for the Tour de France. Giulio Pellizzari provides extra climbing depth after his Giro d’Italia campaign.

Bahrain Victorious also look strong. Edoardo Zambanini took third on Stage 1 and Jakob Omrzel is another name to watch for the overall. Local interest remains high with Slovenian riders scattered across several squads.

• Laurence Pithie (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) – Yellow jersey, in top form, dangerous in any reduced sprint.
• Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) – Top GC contender, likely to test rivals on the late climb.
• Arne Marit (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) – Perfect lead-out man who can also sprint for himself.
• Edoardo Zambanini (Bahrain Victorious) – Consistent and climbing well.

Key Rider Battles & What to Watch

Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe hold the initiative. They can choose to control the race for another sprint finish or let Lipowitz attack on the final climb if the yellow jersey feels threatened.

Breakaways have a real chance here. The first half of the stage is classic terrain for a strong group to build a gap. If the move survives the flat middle section and the late Jeruzalem climb, today could deliver a surprise winner.

Watch for fast men like Enrico Zanoncello or Ben Oliver if the peloton comes back together. The late climb should thin the group, but not enough to turn this into a pure climber’s day.

Live Streaming & Telecast

European viewers have the best options. RTV SLO 2 and Eurosport 2 carry live coverage from roughly 13:10 to 16:15 local time.

In the United States and Canada, FloBikes streams the full stage. UK fans can catch it on TNT Sports and discovery+ / HBO Max platforms.

International viewers outside these regions often rely on official race social channels or VPN access to European feeds. Radio commentary and live timing are available on the official Tour of Slovenia website.

Fantasy Cycling Tips

Smaller leagues should lean into the breakaway potential. A strong puncheur or consistent top-10 rider from a smaller team can deliver big points if the move sticks.

Grand League players need Red Bull riders. Pithie offers stage-win upside and points jersey value. Lipowitz is the safer GC pick if he decides to chase bonus seconds on the final climb.

Key cheap options often appear in the breakaway. Check startlists for riders from teams like Caja Rural-Seguros RGA or Equipo Kern Pharma who have shown form in similar terrain.

Stage Prediction & GC Outlook

Expect a reduced bunch sprint or a late attack from the GC group. Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe have the numbers and the form to control proceedings again. Laurence Pithie remains the most likely stage winner if it comes down to a sprint from 30-40 riders.

Florian Lipowitz could steal the show with a move on the Jeruzalem climb. Even a small time gain today would put serious pressure on the rest of the general classification before the tougher stages to come.

Breakaway success remains the wildcard. The profile invites it. If a strong group gains two minutes or more on the flat sections, they could hold on all the way to Ormož.

Records & Milestones

This marks the first time the Tour of Slovenia has started a stage in Radlje ob Dravi. The finish in Ormož has happened before, but the combination of start town and full Drava Bike route is new for 2026.

Pithie’s Stage 1 victory already put him in the conversation for one of the strongest opening weekends by a non-European rider in recent editions. Another strong result today would further cement Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe’s early dominance.

The 2026 Tour of Slovenia Stage 2 is delivering exactly what fans hoped for — beautiful Slovenian scenery, a competitive peloton, and real tactical options for the teams. Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe hold the yellow jersey and the momentum. Everyone else is chasing.

As the clock ticks toward the finish in Ormož, the question is simple: will the breakaway survive, or will the big teams bring it back for another high-speed showdown?