Pogacar is the heavy favorite for the Slovenian national title as it will be contested in the mountains.
The initial climb weeds out all the amateurs and the 23 pros in the race hit the second climb together. With 10k left Katrasnik is the first pro to lose touch, he had done a lot of work for Pog.
Hocevar makes the first attack along with Novak and Per.
Pogacar takes accountability for the chase and brings that group back which triggers a new attack from Novak and Hocevar. Pogacar again chases and with 8k to go Novak has 10 seconds and Hocevar is caught. The only riders able to stay with Pogacar are Pavlic and Svab. Behind Trans is leading the remaining riders and seem happy to keep their own pace.
The 5 riders mentioned establish a gap and Pogacar leads them to just shy of the 5k banner where another attack from Novak dislodges Svab. A 5-rider chase group led by Trans is 48 seconds down.
Only Pogacar stays with Novak and with 3k to go he puts in an attack of his own. The next group is 1’05 down and includes Pavlic, Hocevar, Rucigaj and Primozic. They are probably riding for bronze.
Novak is able to stay with Pogacar but the favorite looks the stronger rider as they pass the 1k banner. The battle for bronze is 1’31 behind and is now between Rucigaj and Primozic.
Pogacar just rides away from his rival to take his first national title. Only 20 more to catch Pluchkin.
Novak takes 2nd and Primozic easily wins the battle for bronze.
Results
1
Tadej Pogacar
Cedevita
1h44'35
2
Domen Novak
Aker - MOT
+ 17
3
Jaka Primozic
Trans Looney Tunes
+ 1'05
4
Ziga Rucigaj
Cervelo Test Team
+ 1'37
5
Marko Pavlic
Gazelle
+ 2'13
6
Kristjan Hocevar
Sony - Force India
s.t.
7
Jan Polanc
Evonik - ELKO
+ 2'54
8
Matevz Govekar
Trans Looney Tunes
+ 3'07
9
Jan Tratnik
Genii Hyundai N Cycling
+ 3'19
10
Jernej Svab
Spark Team NZ
s.t.
11
Rok Korosec
Trans Looney Tunes
+ 4'53
12
David Per
Carlsberg - Danske Bank
+ 5'10
13
Izidor Penko
Cedevita
+ 5'28
14
Bostjan Murn
Trans Looney Tunes
+ 5'58
15
Miha Poljanec
Cedevita
s.t.
16
Luka Pibernik
Trans Looney Tunes
+ 6'26
17
Ziga Horvat
Xero Racing
s.t.
18
Mark Dzamastagic
Specialized
+ 6'38
19
Gal Glivar
Trans Looney Tunes
+ 7'37
20
Aljaz Jarc
Llapi-Vita
+ 7'56
21
Tilen Finkst
Carlsberg - Danske Bank
s.t.
22
Gasper Katrasnik
Cedevita
+ 9'11
23
Matic Groselj
Cedevita
+ 11'53
Time Trial
Pogacar has a shot at the double but he will have to beat two of his teammates, defending champion Groselj and Penko.
Because of the multiple Cedevita riders Pogacar gets an early start slot. It is raining as he hits the course.
Penko is two riders behind him.
Pogacar takes the hot seat at 58’02, Penko is 7 seconds slower.
He is still in the hot seat as Groselj, the last rider on the course, comes to the finish.
No double for Tadej, Groselj holds his title going 22 seconds quicker.