Key Information for Participants of the Sunday L'Etape Slovenia 2026 Challenge

9:00 AM start – both challenges

The simultaneous start of participants of both stages at 9:00 AM allows you to change your decision during the challenge itself: you can either ride the shorter, 80 km route, or continue on and cross the finish line after completing 130 km.

Changing your route is allowed regardless of your original registration, and your result will be recorded in the appropriate age category and distance. Make sure to position yourself correctly in good time – the split point will be a marked spot on the route at Jelenov klanec, about 500 m before the finish line.

Matej Mohorič will be with you on the route again this year, and alongside the crowds of fans, Didi the devil will also be there to cheer you on.

Pick-up of race number and pre-ordered L'Etape Slovenia collection items

Participation is allowed only for registered persons with paid registration fees and a correctly attached race number. Unregistered cyclists are not permitted to join the route during the event.

Pick-up of the race number and the pre-ordered jersey or other L'Etape Slovenia collection items is only possible in person and with a valid personal ID. Early pick-up is also possible:

• on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Kranj, Grašca (Naklo)
• on Wednesday, 2 September 2026, from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Maribor, Decathlon.

During the cycling festival, you can pick up your starter package at the venue in Kranj, in the lobby of the Kranj Municipality building, Slovenski trg 1, entrance from the Brioni car park:

• on Saturday, 5 September 2026, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
• on Sunday, 6 September 2026, 7:00 AM–8:00 AM.

>>> Race number pick-up – all challenges

Welcome bag and warm meal voucher at the finish

By picking up your race number, you will receive a welcome bag (goodie bag) with gifts from our partners, which also includes a voucher for a warm meal after crossing the finish line, courtesy of our partner Zlato polje (Žito). The meal is available in the tent at the venue.

Yellow and black race number

The colour of your race number reflects the route you selected at registration:

• black race number (1 to 800) = long route, 130 km, Tosidos the Race
• yellow race number (1000 to 1800) = short route, 80 km, Decathlon the Ride.

All registered by due date will receive a personalised race number, which you attach to your back, with the chip under your bike seat and on your bag. Competing under someone else's name, or using a race number assigned to another person, is not allowed, as this constitutes sports fraud and automatically results in disqualification.

Start block: A, B, C

Your race number shows the letter A, B, or C, indicating your starting zone – starting block. Position yourself in your assigned area, which runs along Koroška cesta from the start line opposite Restavracija in kavarna Brioni, towards Hotel Creina, in the following zones:

• invited participants (VIP)
• zone A (average speed above 37 km/h)
• zone B (average speed 30–36 km/h)
• zone C (average speed under 30 km/h).

Position yourself in the starting area in good time and stay calm. Ahead of you is a shared cycling experience. We encourage good sporting etiquette and camaraderie.

GPS Tracking

If you ordered GPS tracking for your ride during registration, you will receive an email with a link to register your tracking device. To activate the service successfully, please follow the instructions provided in the email.

Arrival at the venue and parking

We recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before the start for those who have already picked up their race number. Those who don't have this option can still pick up their race number on the day of the event, but only until 8:00 AM.

Free parking for challenge participants is available at the Supernova Mercator Savski otok shopping centre, Stara cesta 25c, Kranj. If you live nearby, we recommend arriving by bike. If you're coming by car, arrange to carpool with friends and acquaintances.

Start, the cycling challenge, and key points along the route

Simultaneous start at 9:00 AM; the start/finish area will be marked with an arch.

• Decathlon the Ride, 80 km
• Tosidos the Race, 130 km

Key points along the route

Kilometre 0, sponsored by Tosidos

Kilometre 0 is located at the 6.6 km mark, in Spodnje Bitnje. Up to this point, all cyclists ride behind the first official vehicle; overtaking is prohibited. This is a so-called neutralised ride, a measure to ensure the safety of all participants and to prevent too fast a start, which for many would cause cramping, premature muscle fatigue, and heavy legs.

Tour de France jersey giveaway

4 sets will be awarded: to the female and male cyclist on the 80 km route and the female and male cyclist on the 130 km route.

Yellow jersey, sponsored by Merkur zavarovalnica

• fastest male and female cyclists on the short and long routes.

Polka-dot jersey, sponsored by Gorenjska banka

• Mountain goal at Šenturška Gora (52.1 km) and Lajše (100.6 km).

Green jersey, sponsored by MO Kranj and Visit Kranj

• sprint segment at Predoslje: 75.1 km

White jersey, sponsored by the Slovenian Tourist Board (I feel Slovenia)

• fastest cyclists under 25 years of age.

Split point for the short and long routes

Jelenov klanec before entering the finishing straight.

• Decathlon the Ride, 80 km: right side of the road, marked »KEEP RIGHT«, leads to the finish and the end of the race.
• Tosidos the Race,130 km: left side of the road, marked »KEEP LEFT«, leads onward to the second part of the route via Besnica.

Refreshment stations on the route

Šenturška Gora, 52.2 km

• Kranj, 82.6 km
• Lajše, 100.8 km
• Ševlje, 116 km.

Last kilometre, sponsored by I feel Slovenia

On the final kilometre separating participants from the finish, the distinctive I feel Slovenia branding will be visible in its recognisable green colour: in the shape of an arch for the 80 km finish and a totem for the 130 km finish.

Dangerous sections – ride with extreme caution

Dangerous sections – ride with extreme caution.

• Km 6.6 official race start.
• Km 9.7 right-hand bend in the village of Sveti Duh, towards Škofja Loka.
• Km 12.3 sharp left turn in Škofja Loka near the fire station.
• Km 55 dangerous descent towards Šenturška Gora–Cerklje na Gorenjskem. Extra caution on the final right- and left-hand bends before entering the village of Grad.
• Km 80 split between the long and short routes on the climb to Jelenov klanec: the left side is reserved for continuing onto the longer loop, the right side leads to the finish of the shorter route.
• Km 101 start of the descent towards Dražgoše–Rudno. A technically demanding descent, so ride with extreme caution and watch out for your own safety and that of fellow participants.
• Km 122.5 start of the descent towards Kranj. Be extremely careful, especially on the final part of the descent, where high speeds are reached, as the exit leads into a right-hand bend.
• Km 130.5 Kranj roundabout; use the left side of the road.

The challenge is conducted in accordance with UCI rules. Descending in the »super tuck« (aero tuck) position is not allowed and automatically results in disqualification.

Technical assistance on the route

Basic technical assistance will be provided with 5 vehicles positioned along the route. Nevertheless, we recommend bringing a spare inner tube in case you need a quick tyre change, as technical assistance may be too far away when you need it.

Technical assistance vehicles will be marked with organiser stickers.

Road closure timeline and duration of the rolling closure

The road closure timeline is based on cycling at an average speed of 25 km/h. If participants do not maintain this speed, they will be notified by marshals and the closing vehicle.

This is known as the broom wagon, since the rolling closure lasts one hour. In practice, this means that once you are passed by the police vehicle with flashing red-and-blue lights and a sign reading »end of closure«, you are back in regular traffic and must ride in accordance with road traffic regulations.

Continue cycling normally to the finish, but careful! you are no longer riding on roads closed to other traffic, so be extremely careful. Police, motorcyclists, and marshals will still be on the course to ensure safety.

Photos of participants - FotoP

FotoP is the official photographer of L'Etape Slovenia participants. To make sure you're happy with your photos, please:

• keep your race number visible at all times
• smile when you spot the FotoP team's photographers along the route
• give an especially big smile as you cross the finish line.r

Your personal race photos will be available in the week after the event, so follow our channels for all the information you need about purchasing them.

Live broadcast on POP TV and streaming

The live broadcast can be followed on POP TV from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM, by which time the fastest cyclists in the long challenge are expected to have already crossed the finish line. The broadcast will include interesting guests and highlights from the race.

A live online stream will also be available at Voyo, and the recording can later be viewed on the Merkur zavarovalnica L'Etape Slovenia by Tour de France YouTube channel.

Key points at the venue

• At the central venue on Slovenski trg there is a drinking water point where you can refill fresh water.
• Pivovarna Union and Bikehanic will take care of quick bike repairs.
• Toilets are located next to the tent on Slovenski trg and on the square in front of the municipal building.
• The info point, where you will get all the information you need, will be located in the lobby of the Kranj Municipality building, which is also where race numbers will be picked up on Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th of September.
• The finish-line refreshment station has been moved to the square in front of the municipality lobby.

There are no dedicated changing rooms available at the venue. Small personal belongings may be left at the INFO point, but entirely at your own responsibility.

Safety warnings and general health recommendations

We warmly encourage all participants to follow these recommendations for a successful ride:

• Attention! We ask cyclists to stay maximally alert on the road. The cycling race covers 130 kilometres of roads. The cycling caravan will be protected by: 9 official race vehicles (Ford), 24 motorcycle police officers, 23 motorcycle marshals, police cars, 9 ambulances, 250 marshals stationed along dangerous sections of the route, and safety barriers. The organiser makes every effort to ensure the safety of race participants, for a genuine Tour de France feel. We remind all cyclists that oncoming traffic is always possible. It is not possible to fence off the entire route with safety barriers. We therefore urge you to stay alert to what is happening on the road. Watch out for your own safety and that of your fellow participants.
• Realistically assess your abilities and capabilities. Keep in mind that your form and how you feel can vary from day to day, so pay special attention to how you feel on the day of the challenge.
• We recommend a nutritious breakfast before the race, with sufficient energy intake for your body's needs, vitamins and minerals, and proper hydration to top up your reserves.
• Bring a bottle with a drink that is not just water, and a snack for the road.
• To take part in the longer challenge, we recommend that you have cycled at least 3,000 km in 2026.
• Ambulances with red or blue lights always have priority! Whenever you see an official vehicle with its warning light flashing, move to the edge of the road to let traffic clear for it. The race director will give you a clear signal as to whether the race is stopping or the cycling pace is being slowed.
• Please ride tolerantly, with a sense of collective responsibility
• Ride carefully on descents, don't overdo it, and stay within your abilities. In case of wet roads, please take extra care.
• Kilometre 0 is at the 6.6 km mark, in Spodnje Bitnje. Up to kilometre 0, all cyclists ride behind the first official vehicle; overtaking is prohibited.
• Treat yourself to a warm meal after crossing the finish line. You received a voucher from our partner Zlato polje (Žito) in your welcome bag when you picked up your race number.
• Short massages for tired muscles will also be provided at the finish, using cooling gels by Pernaton.

Awards Ceremony: Winners and Official Tour de France Jersey Recipients

The award ceremonies for the winners, recipients of the official Tour de France jerseys, and the winners of the age-group categories will take place as follows:

• At 1:00 PM for participants of the shorter route, 80 km
• at 3:00 PM for participants of the longer route, 130 km.

Results – partner Timing Ljubljana

Results will be available by our partner Timing Ljubljana at the following link:
https://www.timingljubljana.si/rez/letape.html, and also at our web portal.

>>> Results L'Etape Slovenia

Good luck, caravan of L'Etape Slovenia! Remember, this is an experience, so ride at your own pace and enjoy it. Watch out for your own safety and the safety of others.

Additional content

>>> L'Etape Slovenia 2026 festival programme

>>> Road closure notice

>>> Security and Safety

>>> 2026 Route Change