The tour length is approximately 535 kilometres. The race will start with a time trial in Ljubljana, as at some previous tours. The second stage will lead the cyclists from Škofja Loka to Kočevje. The third, royal stage will end with the ascent to Trije Kralji. The race will end on June 21, with the finish line in Novo mesto.

Three teams from the elite WorldTour will participate at the Tour of Slovenia, besides Sky also Lampre and Katjuša cycling teams. Among 17 participating teams there will be also Adria Mobil, Radenska and the Slovenian national team.

The date is favourable
"For now we have only preliminary applications, so we can't say with certainty who will actually participate. As organizers we wish for the strongest possible competition, although that means that it will be more difficult to season the race with a Slovenian victory. The date of the race is favourable, as a number of competitors take advantage of our race as a preparation for the Tour, Sky team being one of those, therefore we believe they intend to participate with Porte, as announced. The Australian has already been here, twice he raced for Saxo Bank, and he knows very well what to expect," said race director Bogdan Fink.

The program needs to be coordinated
"Generally speaking, the teams you journalist characterise as 'the second league' have excellent cyclists. The fact that all the winners of the first five stages of Giro had already raced here speaks for itself; it is a recommendation for the organizers. I can't say who of the Slovenian legionnaires will participate. At the time of our race the European games will take place in Baku, and the Tour of Switzerland is also raced at the same time. They will have to coordinate their programmes," Fink explained.

S. J.
Translated by G. K.