Highlights of the L'Etape Slovenia 2026 Cycling Festival
The 5th edition of Merkur zavarovalnica L'Etape Slovenia by Tour de France delighted cycling enthusiasts and gave them the chance to experience the spirit of the Tour de France. Record-Breaking Participation.
The first of five scheduled events was the 2nd edition of the Merkur zvaraovalnica Business Stage, a team race, followed just five minutes later by the ISO Ride group ride on the same 34 km course. Unfortunately, heavy rainfall disrupted the programme, resulting in the cancellation of the Family Ride, while the Future Heroes children's races and Alya's live concert were postponed to Sunday. In the evening, participants still enjoyed the exciting K0.0lesari na polno! challenge, a hill climb on Jelenov Klanc.
Opening of the Cycling Festival
The festival officially opened at 12:30 p.m. Throughout both days, more than 30 exhibitors showcased their products and services, attracting visitors to their stands with a variety of activities and experiences.
The atmosphere was kept lively by DJ Dean on the Mic and DJ Time, while visitors had to wait until Sunday for the musical highlight of the weekend, a live performance by the popular Slovenian singer Alya. The entire festival took place in the company of ambassador Matej Mohorič and the ever-present Didi, the official mascot of the Tour de France.
Merkur zavarovalnica Corporate Stage as a Cycling Team-Building Event
The Corporate Stage was designed to promote networking, socialising and relationship-building among employees, colleagues and business partners, while encouraging an active lifestyle and offering an opportunity for informal interaction.
The second edition attracted 54 teams in the pairs race and 110 cyclists in the ISO Ride group challenge.
The winners of the team race were:
- Women's pair: Pasar Petra in Čepak Lina, Santini Squadra Corse (56:12.1)
- Mixed pair: Belehar Lenča in Veber Matic, Grašcateam 4 (51:07.1)
- Men's pair: Frelih Rok in Draksler Andrej, Gračcateam 8, (50:50.8)
This year's special award for the largest participation in the Business Stage was presented to Grašca team.
>>> Results of the Merkur zavarovalnica Business Stage – Team Race
Boutique Challenge K0.0lesari na polno! – Jelenov Klanc Hill Climb
The third edition of the spectacular K0.0lesari na polno! challenge introduced several upgrades this year, including the Hot Seat and men's semi-final heats. Unfortunately, due to weather-related programme adjustments, the semi-finals could not be held. As tradition dictates, one hundred cyclists first tackled the 500-metre uphill course individually in a time trial format, starting at 30-second intervals. Festival ambassador Matej Mohorič took to the course as the final rider.
The overall winners were decided in the Super Final, where the top five female and top five male riders based on qualifying times competed head-to-head.
This year's Queen of the Climb was Eva Zaletel, while Kevin Berginc claimed the title of King of the Climb.
The challenge was once again made possible by our partner Union 0.0 Radler Isotonic.
>>> Results of K0.0lesari na polno! 2026
SUNDAY: Record 1,600 Riders from 31 Countries at the Sold-Out Event
The sold-out Sunday event, traditionally featuring two routes, the shorter Decathlon the Ride (80 km) and the longer Tosidos the Race (130 km), once again attracted cyclists from 31 countries across the globe, representing Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America, and Oceania.
Participants were welcomed and wished a safe ride by Matjaž Rakovec, Mayor of the City Municipality of Kranj, and Matej Mohorič, festival ambassador, who once again joined and supported participants throughout the course. Before the start, the musicians of the City Municipality of Kranj Wind Orchestra performed the Slovenian national anthem.
At 9:00 a.m., the main event officially got underway with a mass start, allowing participants to decide during the ride whether to complete the shorter or longer route, regardless of their original registration. While the adults were out on the course, the youngest cyclists, the Future Heroes, were busy collecting their own cycling kilometres.
Future Heroes Children's Rides Held on Sunday
At 9:30 a.m., the roads were taken over by the youngest participants, as the children's events had been moved from Saturday to Sunday due to poor weather conditions.
The joy and excitement on the faces of children riding the 600 m circuit in three age categories has been one of the festival's greatest values since its very beginning. This year, as many as 250 young cyclists experienced what may have been their first race inspired by the spirit of the Tour de France. Every Future Hero received a commemorative medal. Free registration was once again made possible by Gorenjska banka.
The Family Group Ride was cancelled due to heavy rain on Saturday and, unfortunately, could not be rescheduled on Sunday because of road closure requirements.
A sincere thank you to everyone who registered and joined us. We believe the weather will be more favourable again next year.
Winners and Yellow Jersey Holders
The fastest female and male riders overall, and winners of the Tour de France Yellow Jersey in Decathlon the Ride and Tosidos the Race, were:
- Tosidos the Race (130 km): Laura Šimenc Kramar – 3:24:04.4, and Marko Emeršič – 3:12:41.5
- Decathlon the Ride (80 km): Eva Goropečnik – 2:01:28.2, and Patrik Mikac – 1:48:13.9
Other Tour de France Jersey Winners
Polka Dot Jersey:
- Laura Šimenc Kramar (Race)
- Anže Hočevar (Race)
- Eva Goropečnik (Ride)
- Patrik Mikac (Ride)
Green Jersey
- Laura Šimenc Kramar (Race)
- Lois Saubere (Race)
- Ana Špehonja (Ride)
- Uroš Vene (Ride)
White Jersey
- Eva Močnik (Race)
- Ian Peran (Race)
- Leon Klopčič (Ride)
- Eva Goropečnik (Ride)
Reward Programme: Invitation to a Tour de France Stage
As part of the L'Etape Series Reward Programme, the top three overall women and men on the longer Tosidos the Race route received an entry to L'Etape du Tour 2027, the prestigious amateur event that follows one of the official stages of the Tour de France.
Congratulations to all participants. A special salute to every finisher!
>> Results: Decathlon the Ride & Tosidos the Race 2026
Matej Mohorič Once Again Part of the peloton
Festival ambassador Matej Mohorič (Bahrain Victorious) was once again an active part of the L'Etape Slovenia peloton:
Although this is already my fifth year as event ambassador, I feel this year's edition was truly special. The course suits a wide range of cyclists, the weather was on our side, there were thousands of spectators and supporters again, and the organisation was of a very high standard. For me, it was another excellent training session ahead of the upcoming European Championships taking place nearby in October. Congratulations to all participants, and of course to the winners," said Mohorič.
Live Broadcast on POP TV, Voyo and YouTube
As in previous years, the event was broadcast live on POP TV from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., while Voyo streamed the race live from the start at 9:00 a.m.. The live stream on the L'Etape Slovenia and L'Etape Series YouTube channels began a few minutes before the official start.
The recording of the live streaming is available at L'Etape Slovenia YouTube channel.
>> Tosidos the Race & Decathlon the Ride L'Etape Slovenia 2026
Thousands of Fans Created a Fantastic Atmosphere
The authentic atmosphere of a major cycling event was created by thousands of spectators and supporters along the route and at the main festival venue on Slovenski Square. Thank you all for being part of it.
Photo Gallery Coming Soon
A photo gallery from this year's festival activities will soon be available on our website.
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