Tour of Slovenia 2022 was a major spectacle with almost 11 million spectators on Eurosport

Tour of Slovenia caused a real fan euphoria last week. More than 300,000 cycling enthusiasts cheered for the local cycling stars along the route of the 5-day race. The highlight of the so-called Fight for green was the royal stage from Laško to Velika planina, where the absolute cycling fan record fell: 80,000 fans waved with Slovenian flags and enjoyed a top cycling show led by the best cyclist in the world, Tadej Pogačar. Tour of Slovenia also caught major attention on social media networks – the posts reached as many as 11 million users.

Tour of Slovenia has a long tradition, as does its organizer, the Adria Mobil Cycling Club, which is celebrating half a century of operation this year. 28th edition of the race, which took place under the slogan Fight for green, led through numerous green destination of Slovenia. In total, 39 tourist destinations participated in the race, where as many as 66 points of interest were showcased, enthralling millions of spectators in the television broadcast on Eurosport and TV Slovenia .

Upon this occasion, MSc. Maja Pak, Director of the Slovenian Tourist Board, said: “Throughout the live broadcast on Eurosport and ads of Slovenia and its tourist destinations, we brought Slovenia closer to the world. We once again showed millions of spectators around the world that Slovenia is a natural pearl and a paradise for cycling and that we are top hosts of the most demanding sporting events, as well as a cycling superpower and cycling enthusiasts that cheer with all their heart. This year's race once again served us with outstanding numbers: 39 tourist destinations participated, 300,000 cycling enthusiasts watched the race live, 6,000 posts were recorded on social media networks reaching as many as 11 million users and the ambassador of Slovenian tourism Tadej Pogačar once again proved that he is the best cyclists in the world. At the Slovenian Tourist Board, we are proud to be a part of this story and spread the word about Slovenia and the race with the world.”

A cheering atmosphere was similar to the one in Planica almost 40 years ago

Slovenia has never experienced such a cycling atmosphere that the fans created at this year's tour of Slovenia cycling race. The highlight was at the Saturday's royal stage from Laško to Velika planina. According to the organizer, as many as 80,000 fans gathered. For comparison: the same number of fans gathered at the traditional ski jumping in Planica in 1985 and this was the record daily visit for Planica. Additional motivation was prepared for cyclists in Pogačar's hometown, Komenda, which, unlike other Slovenian places that flooded the route with green, turned yellow - in anticipation of the world's biggest cycling race, Tour de France, which begins on 1 July. In the town, which has a population of only 892, as many as 3,000 fans gathered on Saturday.

In the Tour of Slovenia race, 39 destinations and 66 points of interest of Slovenia were presented in a 10-hour live TV broadcast on Eurosport. The Eurosport commentators were overwhelmed with the amazing landscapes and the cheering atmosphere. Also on the social media networks, cycling has taken over the main theme: we have recorded more than 6,000 posts on social media, reaching 11 million online users. The STB also distributed 6,000 I feel Slovenia fan flags to fans.

An overall victory for Tadej Pogačar and a third place for Domen Novak

Already on the first day of the Tour of Slovenia, Slovenian cyclists hit the headlines of the global media. In addition to Pogačar, great attention was paid to Matej Mohorič, who showed exceptional fighting spirit, but missed the stage victory in Novo mesto by a hair, Domen Novak, who won third place in the overall standings, and Luka Mezgec, who caught the attention on the sprint parts of all stages. These cyclists will also represent the Slovenian colours at Tour de France in July, where a fight for victory between the ambassadors of Slovenian tourism, Tadej Pogačar and Primož Roglič, is expected.

Photos by Sportida.

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