32nd Tour of Slovenia: The Prelude to Slovenia’s Most Cycling-Focused Year Yet

Slovenia’s most cycling-focused year in history begins with the country’s flagship cycling event, the Tour of Slovenia, organised by the Novo mesto Cycling Club. In a year when Slovenia will host a major international race – the European Road Cycling Championships – the 32nd edition of the race marks the beginning of an exceptional cycling season, further enriched by the achievements of Slovenian cyclists at the world’s biggest races.

With outstanding performances by the world’s best cyclist Tadej Pogačar and the pioneer of Slovenia’s cycling success story Primož Roglič – both ambassadors of Slovenian tourism and winners of the Tour of Slovenia – the year 2026 is remarkable for Slovenian sport and sports tourism. Slovenia, as a green destination for active holidays, connects and creates authentic experiences that reflect the values of a healthy and active lifestyle.

MSc. Maja Pak Olaj, Director of the Slovenian Tourist Board, stated at today’s press conference presenting the route: “Today, the Tour of Slovenia is much more than a sporting event; it is one of the most important platforms for the global promotion of Slovenia as a green, active and attractive tourist destination. Through our nine-year partnership with Eurosport, we have developed the race into an outstanding international story with measurable results. With 11 hours of live coverage, 230 video ads and millions of digital impressions, together with 45 Slovenian destinations we will once again place our country on the map of the most recognisable sports and active tourism destinations and cycling powerhouses.”

Mojca Novak, President of the Novo Mesto Cycling Club, added: “At the Cycling Club Novo mesto, we will do everything to ensure the successful and progressive positioning of the club in the region. At the same time, we remain committed to high ambitions and aim to elevate them further. Our vision also includes the Tour of Slovenia as the largest cycling event in the country, even in years when Slovenia does not host the European Championships or other major races. The race is widely recognised as important for Slovenia and for sport. I would like to thank all partners who believe in this project, and I wish the cyclists the best of luck in this year’s race.”

STB and Eurosport Partnership Approaches a Decade

Since 2017, the Slovenian Tourist Board has been responsible for TV broadcasting of the Tour of Slovenia on Eurosport 1 and 2, as well as for promoting the I feel Slovenia brand and destinations across the international Eurosport network. In 2026, STB will again provide 11 hours of live TV coverage and promote Slovenia from May – when the Giro d’Italia begins – until October, when Slovenia hosts the European Road Cycling Championships.

The partnership between STB and Eurosport is entering its ninth year, continuously developing innovative ways to promote Slovenia, the I feel Slovenia brand, and the destinations hosting stage starts and finishes.

This year’s partnership includes advertising during the Tour of Slovenia, the three Grand Tours (Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, and Vuelta a España), and the European Road Cycling Championships (3–7 October 2026). A total of 230 video ads will be broadcast on Eurosport channels.

Additionally, Eurosport will deliver 2 million video ad impressions across its digital platforms and apps (particularly in Germany, Spain, Italy, France, and the UK), along with an additional 1 million impressions on its YouTube channel. Following the success of the global online prize game in previous years, the I feel Slovenia prize campaign will return this year with greater destination involvement and high expectations for strong engagement.

Three New Destinations on the Tour of Slovenia Map

The race will cover more than 800 kilometres and over 11,000 metres of elevation gain, from the easternmost starting point in Ormož to the finish in Novo mesto.

In 2026, both new and established destinations will host stage starts and finishes: Velenje, Rogaška Slatina, Radlje ob Dravi, Ormož, Maribor, Celje, Kranj, Kranjska Gora, Litija, and Novo mesto. Among these, Radlje ob Dravi joins the race as a new destination.

Kranj holds a special place among the host cities, as it was the first in independent Slovenia to host a Giro d’Italia stage start and finish in 1994. This year, it will host the start of the queen stage, which will cross into Italy and then continue over two iconic mountain passes – Predel and Vršič – before finishing in Kranjska Gora.

Over five days, cyclists will tackle all types of stages – from flat to the most demanding mountain climbs. The overall winner will don the green jersey in Slovenia’s cycling capital, Novo mesto. Organisers are also placing high hopes on young Slovenian riders, particularly Jakob Omrzel of Team Bahrain Victorious, who showed strong potential last year.

In the cover photo (from left): Race organisational director Bogdan Fink, Director of the Slovenian Tourist Board MSc. Maja Pak Olaj, cyclist Jakob Omrzel, and President of the Novo mesto Cycling Club Mojca Novak. Photo: Sportida.

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