Programme of the Merkur Zavarovalnica L'Etape Slovenia 2026 Cycling Festival

L'Etape Slovenia Village on Slovenski trg

The L'Etape Slovenia village will rise on Slovenski trg, featuring a central stage, culinary offerings, an exhibition on the history of the Tour de France, activities for children, and presentations of services and products from numerous exhibitors and event partners:

• Zavarovalnica Merkur, Visit Kranj, Gorenjska banka, I Feel Slovenia, Tosidos, Decathlon, Frutabela, Proloco, Žito, Ford, Vitalgo, Union, Rio Mare, Pernaton, Hell Energy, Thermo shop, Total Energies, Leanpay, Noro, Axe, Powerade, Apres, Diasporal, Ale', Selle SMP, King sport, L'Etape Italy, Cycling Federation of Slovenia

Visit the exhibition areas, where a varied offer, special deals and prize competitions await you.

L'Etape Slovenia 2026 Cycling Events

Registration for all cycling events within the Merkur Zavarovalnica L'Etape Slovenia by Tour de France 2026 festival must be completed in advance, by the deadline or until all available starting places are filled, via the partner registration portal prijavim.se.

Cycling Events on Saturday, 5 September 2026

Saturday's programme will be exceptionally varied, offering as many as five cycling events for all generations and fitness levels.

Merkur Zavarovalnica Business Stage, 34 km

Route: Kranj–Žeje–Križe–Golnik–Kranj. The event will be held in two formats:

• Timed pairs race, starting at 1:30 PM. Registration open until 24 August 2026.
• ISO Ride group ride without time measurement, starting at 1:35 PM, e-bikes allowed. Registration open until 2 September 2026.

Children's event Future Heroes, 800 m loop [more info]

As has become tradition, the Future Heroes children's event will take place in three age groups on an 800 m loop right next to the venue. The first group starts at 3:20 PM. Free registration is provided by Gorenjska banka – open until all starting places are filled.

Family group ride, 12.5 km, starting at 4:30 PM [more info]

Route: Kranj–Brdo pri Kranju–Kranj. Free registration is provided by Gorenjska banka – open until all starting places are filled.

The challenge K0.0lesari na polno! (Cycling Flat Out!), starting at 6:20 PM [more info]

As the crowning touch to Saturday's programme, this year will once again feature a boutique time-trial climb up Jelenov klanec for 100 challengers of Matej Mohorič. After an individual start at 30-second intervals, the 5 fastest women will compete in a super-final, while for the men there will also be a repechage for the 10 fastest riders and a super-final for the top 5 from the semi-final. Free registration is provided by Union 0.0 Radler Isotonic.

Cycling Events on Sunday, 6 September 2026

Sunday's two events, with a simultaneous start at 9:00 AM, will offer adult amateur road cyclists the prestige experience of the Tour de France. The shorter route (80 km) – Decathlon the Ride and the longer route (130 km) Tosidos the Race also offer the chance to compete for the original, iconic Tour de France jerseys: white, green, polka-dot and yellow, so a total of 4 sets of jerseys will be awarded, 2 for women and 2 for men. Everyone who successfully crosses the finish line will also receive a commemorative “finisher” medal. Registration is open until 📍 1,600 starting places are filled, or until 24 August 2026.

The cycling events take place on roads closed to other traffic (group rides with a rolling closure). Every year the route attracts numerous locals, fans and supporters who create an unforgettable atmosphere.

Plan a timely arrival at the venue – road closures

Because the cycling events take place on roads closed to other traffic, the traffic regime will be changed on both days of the festival. Certain roads, road sections and junctions will therefore be temporarily partially or fully closed to traffic. A notice with the road-closure schedule will be published in due time.

We thank you in advance for your patience and for following the instructions of police officers and event marshals. Plan your arrival carefully and make sure to be at the venue on time.

Gallery in the City open-air exhibition

As part of the varied programme, an exhibition will already be on display before the festival begins, as part of the Galerija na mestu (Gallery in the City) project, featuring a selection of photographs from past editions of the Merkur Zavarovalnica L'Etape Slovenia by Tour de France. The exhibition can be viewed at its permanent location near the Kranj City Library – opposite the entrance.

PROGRAMME – Saturday, 5 September 2026

PROGRAMME – Sunday, 6 September 2026

A warm welcome to the L'Etape Slovenia village on Slovenski trg in Kranj. You are warmly invited to cheer along the entire route.

INFO point and bib number collection

This year, too, the INFO point will be located in the lobby of the Kranj City Municipality building, Slovenski trg 1, entrance from the Brioni car park. Opening hours: Saturday, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, and Sunday, 7:00 AM–3:00 PM.
The lobby will be where bib number collection takes place for all Saturday cycling events, as well as for Sunday's 80 km and 130 km events. We will announce whether early collection is possible.

For any cycling event, bib numbers must be collected in person no later than 1 hour before the start of the event. For minors, collection must be done by a parent or guardian.

Bib number collection schedule

Saturday, 5 September 2026

• 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
  Dcathlon the Ride, 80 km and Tosidos the Race, 130 km. Starter package and jersey (if ordered).
• 10:00 AM–12:30 PM
• Merkur Zavarovalnica Business Stage – pairs race. Bib number, short-sleeve jersey, timing chip.
• 10:00 AM–12:30 PM
• Merkur Zavarovalnica Business Stage ISO Ride, group ride. Bib number,
• 10:00 AM–2:30 PM
• Children's event Future Heroes. Bib number.
• 10:00 AM–3:30 PM
• Family group ride. Bib number.
• 1:30 PM–5:30 PM
• K0.0lesari na polno! (Cycling Flat Out!) Jelenov klanec Challenge. Jersey and timing chip.

Sunday, 6 September 2026

7:00 AM–8:15 AM
Decathlon the Ride, 80 km and Tosidos the Race, 130 km starter package and jersey (if ordered).

Bib numbers must be collected in person with a valid ID document. Participants in Sunday's events should also present the QR code they will receive by email when collecting their starter package.

📍 The programme may still be subject to change, so please stay updated by following the latest announcements on L'Etape Slovenia's communication channels.