The 32nd edition of the Tour of Slovenia concluded on 21 June after five days of racing across the country, once again bringing international attention to one of the region’s most important sporting events. First held in 1993, the race has grown into a fixture of the international cycling calendar, attracting professional teams and riders preparing for the Tour de France. This year’s route covered more than 800 kilometres, starting in Velenje and finishing in Novo Mesto, with stages passing through destinations including Maribor, Celje, Kranj, Kranjska Gora and Ormož.
Among the pre-race favourites were Germany’s Florian Lipowitz, Italy’s Giulio Pellizzari, New Zealand’s Laurence Pithie and Slovenia’s rising star Jakob Omrzel. Much of the attention focused on the powerful Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe team, which arrived in Slovenia with one of the strongest line-ups in the race.
Lipowitz ultimately lived up to expectations, winning the queen stage to Kranjska Gora before sealing the overall title with a solo victory on the final stage into Novo Mesto.
The German rider finished ahead of teammates Laurence Pithie and Giulio Pellizzari, completing a dominant week for Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe. His performance is seen as an important statement ahead of next month’s Tour de France, where he is expected to be among the riders to watch.
The race also highlighted Slovenia’s next generation of cycling talent. Home favourite Jakob Omrzel delivered an impressive performance against more experienced rivals, reinforcing hopes that the country could soon produce another star to follow in the footsteps of riders such as Primož Roglič and Tadej Pogačar.
Last year’s winner was Norway’s Anders Halland Johannessen of Uno-X Mobility, while previous champions include Tadej Pogačar, Primož Roglič and Diego Ulissi. More than three decades after its launch, the Tour of Slovenia continues to serve both as a showcase for the country and as a proving ground for some of cycling’s biggest emerging names.
