The Red Bull BORA hansgrohe team dominated the first stage of the Tour of Slovenia 2026. After splitting the race in two approximately thirty kilometers from the finish of the Velenje-Rogaška Slatina stage, the German team went on to dominate the sprint that decided the inaugural 141-kilometer stage, placing Laurence Pithie in first place and Arne Marit in second.

Third, behind his two teammates in white and blue jerseys, was an excellent Edoardo Zambanini (Bahrain-Victorious), who, like Lorenzo Masciarelli (sixth) and Domenico Pozzovivo (tenth), managed to keep pace with the best riders in the final and then compete for their chances in the sprint.

THE RACE

The stage was characterized by a long four-man breakaway of Diego Uriarte (Equipo Kern Pharma), Axel van der Tuuk (Euskaltel–Euskadi), Sam Brand (Team Novo Nordisk) and Tomáš Přidal (Team United Shipping). After disputing the four intermediate sprints of the day and the only climb of Ješevec pri Šmarju (won by Přidal), the quartet broke apart approximately thirty kilometers from the finish on the climb preceding the final circuit of Rogaška Slatina.

On the same climb, while only Uriarte and van der Tuuk remained at the front, the main group accelerated on the impulse of the Red Bull BORA hansgrohe which, by setting a decidedly sustained pace, ensured that several of the main sprinters were dropped from the select group of the best riders (composed of approximately 35 units) and that, 28 kilometers from the finish, the last two early attackers were reabsorbed.

With the race situation crystallized at the start of the final lap, the stage proceeded swiftly toward the decisive sprint with reduced numbers which, in the end, favored Laurence Pithie who, perfectly launched by Arne Marit in the final tens of meters, did not miss his appointment with his fifth personal victory in the last month of racing, thus confirming that he is going through a superb moment of form and confidence.

Nothing, either behind him or behind the Belgian (today in the role of last man), could Edoardo Zambanini do, who, returning to racing after the efforts of the Giro d'Italia, immediately appeared brilliant by achieving a third-place finish that bodes well for the remaining stages of the week.

STAGE RESULTS

1. Laurence Pithie (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe) 3:14:10

2. Arne Marit (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe) s.t.

3. Edoardo Zambanini (Bahrain - Victorious) s.t.

4. Iván Cobo (Equipo Kern Pharma) s.t.

5. Joel Nicolau (Caja Rural - Seguros RGA) s.t.

6. Lorenzo Masciarelli (MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort) s.t.

7. Tilen Finkšt (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali) s.t.

8. Xabier Berasategi (Euskaltel - Euskadi) s.t.

9. Mats Wenzel (Equipo Kern Pharma) s.t.

10. Domenico Pozzovivo (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali) s.t.

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1. Laurence Pithie (Red Bull BORA hansgrohe) 3h14'00"

2. Axel Van der Tuuk (Euskaltel Euskadi) at 0:03

3. Arne Marit (Red Bull BORA hansgrohe) at 0:04

4. Edoardo Zambanini (Bahrain Victorious) at 0:06

5. Tomáš Přidal (Team United Shipping) at 0:09

6. Iván Cobo (Equipo Kern Pharma) at 0:10

7. Joel Nicolau (Caja Rural - Seguros RGA) at 0:10

8. Lorenzo Masciarelli (MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort) at 0:10

9. Tilen Finkšt (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali) at 0:10

10. Xabier Berasategi (Euskaltel - Euskadi) at 0:10

OTHER CLASSIFICATIONS

Points Classification: Laurence Pithie (Red Bull BORA hansgrohe)

Mountain Classification: Tomáš Přidal (Team United Shipping)

Best Young Rider Classification: Tomáš Přidal (Team United Shipping)