Slovenia to open Europe's post-Covid-19 road race cycling season

Martin Hvastija, vice-chairman of the Slovenian Cycling Association, said the race, the go-ahead for which was a mere formality, would be held in the area of Komenda and Cerklje with the finish below Mt Krvavec in north-central Slovenia.

Before climbing to the finish at an altitude of 1,079 metres, the riders will clock in seven flat leaps of around 19 kilometres each.

According to Hvastija, the race will feature top UCI Slovenia riders Primož Roglič, Tadej Pogačar, Matej Mohorič, and other national team members.

They all took part in a joint training on World Bicycle Day, 3 June.

"With all of them still at home at this time, we hurried up a bit to organise the National Championship," said Hvastija, himself a former road cycle racer.

Up to 200 spectators will be allowed along the race route, although Hvastija said they were aware it would be hard to control spectator numbers along the road.

The race, which is on the UCI calendar, will be one of the first in Europe after the coronavirus crisis since the world governing body of cycling advised national associations not to organise national events before July.

"It's virtually the only possible date for us to bring together Slovenia's best riders. Most races have been put forward and over the coming months we won't find a day when we can have all the Slovenian elite at home," said Hvastija.