Uros Murn, technical director of the Slovenian men's national team since the 2021 Imola World Championships, is preparing to lead his squad to Montreal, where Primoz Roglic will be the team's spearhead. The recent crash and withdrawal of Tadej Pogacar during the eighth stage of the Vuelta a España have complicated plans, but Murn remains confident.

"I believe we have the best riders available to us at this moment. I'm very pleased that we managed to form the team despite everything and we arrive at this appointment with great expectations," Murn stated. The limited media attention given to Slovenian riders, usually accustomed to much more coverage, could prove to be an advantage: "We've remained somewhat in the shadows, and this works in our favor".

When asked whether Slovenia can still be a protagonist at the Worlds despite Pogacar's absence, Murn replied: "Exactly. From what I've seen in the media, we've stayed in the background, which definitely plays to our advantage. The riders coming from the Vuelta will certainly be in excellent form and ready to race; we need to capitalize on this advantage".

This also suggests that Roglic's second-place finish in the Spanish race should be viewed with the Worlds in mind. Regarding race strategy, Murn stated in an interview with Slovenian television: "I have a scenario in mind, but as always I'll discuss it with the guys and then we'll decide together how to manage the race exactly". Regarding agreements with Roglic, he revealed that initially the rider was uncertain about his participation, but then became convinced: "Before the start of the Vuelta a España, he didn't yet know if he would participate in the Worlds; we spoke during the rest day and he enthusiastically confirmed his presence".

Murn also spoke about Jakob Omrzel, who has surprised everyone with his performances but for whom final approval from the Bahrain Victorious team is still pending. "We just need to wait these three days to make sure no complications arise," he added. Omrzel is only 20 years old, but in this Vuelta, he has demonstrated his extraordinary abilities to everyone, winning the twelfth stage with a mountain-top finish.

Commenting on Pogacar's crash, Murn said: "I was watching the race on TV. In those first moments you still hope, but once the nature of the injuries became clear, his return seemed very unlikely right away". The Slovenian coach confirmed that Pogacar will reach the team in Canada as a supporter: "He'll arrive on Tuesday before the road race; he'll be there to support us".

Reflecting on the competition, Murn observed that Pogacar's absence could make the race more open, with Belgium emerging as a nation not to be underestimated: "The Belgians will try to keep the race under tight control, but they face a challenge: they have two potential captains, which complicates things". Murn analyzed the course and the influence it could have on the race: "The initial flat 100-kilometer stretch won't have a major impact; the decisive moments will come during the final laps around Montreal". He also confirmed that preparation for the Europeans is already underway: "The riders already know who will race and the overall plan is set".

In conclusion, Uros Murn prepares for another adventure at the Worlds, with Slovenia ready to prove its worth, even in the absence of one of its champions. The team, under Murn's guidance and with Roglic as its beacon, aims to make its mark in Montreal. The Slovenian lineup, besides Roglic, will consist of Finkst, Glivar, Govekar, Mozgec, Mohoric, Tratnik, and Omrzel.