Tour of Slovenia 2026 – Stage 3 [FULL STAGE]

June 19, 2026

32nd Tour of Slovenia 2026 🇸🇮 (2.Pro) ME – Stage 3 – Maribor – Celje : 133,5 km

Tour of Slovenia is a UCI 2.Pro classification stage race that winds through the diverse and dramatic landscapes of Slovenia, where the roads alternate between rolling hills, steep mountain passes, and fast, technical descents. The terrain is a mix of long, sustained climbs and short, explosive ascents, with gradients often reaching 8–14% on narrow, winding roads that cut through dense forests, alpine meadows, and picturesque valleys. The climbs are irregular, featuring steep ramps, exposed sections, and technical switchbacks, while the descents are fast and demanding, with sharp corners and uneven surfaces that test a rider’s skill and composure. The race dynamics are shaped by the constant changes in elevation and the tactical opportunities they present, with attacks frequently launching on the steepest sections or during the high-altitude stages, where the peloton thins to a select group of climbers. The flatter stages are rarely straightforward, often featuring crosswinds or punchy hills that disrupt the rhythm and create opportunities for breakaways. The sprint finishes are fast and technical, contested on wide roads or slightly uphill drags that reward power and positioning. The final kilometers of each stage often feature a decisive climb, a technical descent, or a fast run-in through a historic town or along a scenic valley, where the outcome is determined by endurance, tactical awareness, and the ability to respond to sudden changes in pace. The Tour of Slovenia delivers a challenging and unpredictable parcours, showcasing the beauty and rigor of racing in one of Europe’s most stunning regions.

Race leader Laurence Pithie (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) took a second bunch sprint victory in three days at the Tour of Slovenia, narrowly outpowering Stefano Oldani (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) in the final metres.

After hard work by the German WorldTour squad on the rolling terrain between Maribor and Celje, Pithie’s teammate Mattia Cattaneo opted to try and surprise the opposition with a sneak attack early in the final kilometre.

Cattaneo’s bold move stretched the rivals squads even further, forcing Caja Rural’s leadout man, Joel Nicolau, to work hard to pull him back.

With the Italian reeled in, Nicolau’s teammate Oldani accelerated hard on the right hand side of the road, but Pithie was waiting in the wings to charge past almost at the last possible moment and clinch the win.

On the hilliest stage so far in this year’s race, Paul Wright (Modern Adventure) and Erik Fetter (United Shipping) got the ball rolling for the breakaway 120 kilometres away from home, then were joined by Marcel Gladek (Factor), as they approached the first of two category 2 climbs, the Planina na Pohorju (7.9 km à 6.4%).

The three escapees were still together as they reached the second climb, the eight-kilometre Celjska koča, in the final hour of racing, although Wright quickly dropped his two companions at the foot of the climb.

What he could not change, however, was how Red Bull were still bossing the front of the peloton, and the margin for the stage leader was down to just 20 seconds as the 28-year-old former New Zealand National champion began grinding up the lower slopes of the densely wooded climb.

Barely half the climb had unfolded before Wright was reeled in, and Red Bull, spearheaded by Mattia Cattaneo, continued to keep a high pace all the way to the top but – crucially – without losing their sprinter Pithie.

On the descent and then heading towards the finish, Unai Iribar (Kern Pharma) tried a brave solo move, but his brief attempt never was going to escape Red Bull when they were working so hard for their sprinter.

With six riders on the front of broad, well-surfaced and very straight city roads, the German squad continued to dominate up the rolling finale into Celje. Only 40 riders remained in the front group by that point. But with such a strong presence, there was nothing to stop Red Bull teammates Ben Zwiehoff and Jan Tratnik from hammering out an impressive pace to ensure the group remained together right through to the completely flat finishing straight.

Sensing he could perhaps surprise the opposition given they had the strongest sprinter in the race, Mattia Cattaneo then went for a long move. His audacious challenge failed to work out, but with Pithie as a very effective main plan and clinching the triumph, it barely mattered.

After three days sprinting, Saturday’s stage is the key one of the week for the GC contenders. It’s both the longest of the race and features this edition’s sole HC ascent, the 12.7km Vršič, peaking out just 14 kilometres from the finish. But for Pithie and Red Bull, in any case, they have already made the 2026 Tour of Slovenia a runaway success story.

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