While rumors are increasing of a return of the Giro d’Italia to Gorizia next year, Slovenia is ready for the start of its most important cycling race and returns to this border. The third stage, scheduled for Friday 14 June, in fact, I will connect Ljubljana with Nova Gorica (arrival at 3pm) via a route of 160 kilometres. An itinerary that is once again confirmed as cross-border, with the caravan of cyclists passing the Sovenza pass at San Floriano del Collio, then descending to Piuma and then Gorizia.
The program was presented this morning at the Kayak center of Salcano by the two mayors, Samo Turel and Rodolfo Ziberna, together with the organization of the event. The event celebrates its 30th edition this year and for this reason there will be numerous dedicated initiatives in the area, not only strictly related to the competition but from a playful and recreational perspective. Particular attention will be paid to the points and attractions in the municipalities of Nova Gorica and Brda, which will be filmed from above and broadcast during the live television broadcast.
In fact, you can watch it all day on the Eurosport channels with an impact in terms of audiences estimated at over 90 million of people all over the world. An important business card from the perspective of the European Capital of Culture, which sees the Nova Gorica and Brda tourist boards collaborate with a series of initiatives. All to celebrate the passage of the largest group ever in the competition, with 23 teams from all over the world, as underlined by organizational director Bogdan Fink.
Among the big Slovenian names who will race are Matej Mohorič, Domen Novak and Luka Mezgec. Last year, it was Filippo Zana who won the title and for 2024 he will aim to reconfirm himself at the top. For the challenger Mihael Štajnar, cyclist of Ljubljana Gusto Santic who will take part in the tournament and is present this morning, «this third stage will be one of the most challenging. It could happen that a cyclist who is not among the favorites surprisingly wins. This year the competition is very strong, there will be many high-level teams at the start.”
«The race – Turel remarked – represents an extraordinary opportunity for the promotion, not only of the city of Nova Gorica, but of the entire Gorizia area and the shared cross-border space». His counterpart Ziberna, however, placed the emphasis on the champion of UAE Team Emirates Tadej Pogačar, fresh from winning the Giro d’Italia: «He demonstrated how a person, an athlete, can overcome boundaries and be an example, not only in sport, but also in life. Pogačar is not just a Slovenian, he has become world-class.”
Rok Lozej, vice president of the Slovenian Cycling Federation, instead expressed himself on the difficulty: «It will be a very difficult stage, already the first part up to Aidussina with its climb, considering that the cyclists will have already faced two stages. The Vipava Valley will also offer no rest, then through Selo to Dornberk, then through Gradišče to Renče and then the hardest final part begins, first through Danber, then along the Sabotin road, along the old road through Kojsko, we will also go to Vipolže and Cerovo.”
Then the transition to «San Floriano through the center and then back to Ravnica, which will not be easy and it is expected that the cyclists will reach the finish line individually, at least the first ones». What is certain is that we will try to make the passage unforgettable, both for the athletes but for the public. On the Tour of Slovenia channels, the municipalities of Nova Gorica and Brda will promote themselves in a prize competition. For the fateful day, however, school children and elderly people from retirement homes will be involved to greet the caravan, decorating the places.
In the photo: the start of the stage of the Tour of Sloevnia 2022 from the center of Nova Gorica (credits Mestna občina NG)
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