Welcome to the opening stage of this year's Tour de Slovenie! It won't just take good legs in order to do well today, but great teamwork is required as well, as we're starting off the race with a 38km hilly team time trial. The first section (9.9km) is quite rollercoaster-style, whereas the second section (11.7km) mainly features one big hill with some kind of "steps". The final section (16.4km) then has a long downhill, before a final hill will make evident who's got enough power left. After a steep downhill, the last 500 meters are again uphill - could this even be the decisive part?
In the preview, we tried to predict the stage favorites - which proved to be hard. Whereas we considered the hill strength to be more important than the pure TT capabilities, the bookies did it the other way round - they consider Duolingo, cycleYorkshire and Valio to be today's top teams, followed by Rakuten, ISA and Iberia. We'll see - the race is on!
Rakuten has the privilege - or the duty? - to open this year's edition. The teams have to tackle the first hill directly after the start - you better be well prepared!
And of course, they are the first team to reach the first checkpoint: Rakuten - 15'02.
Iberia is unable to match the Japanese team's pace: + 23"
Xero have got a huge disadvantage, having nominated only 6 riders. This makes an impact already in the first section: + 45"
Berg then with a slight surprise: Best time at 15'01, one second ahead of Rakuten. However, they seem to be a little disorganized. We'll keep an eye on that...
Sauber didn't have such a great start: 41" back.
One of the favorite teams reaches the first checkpoint: For Valio, the clock stops at 15'08, meaning they're currently 7" back. Nothing lost yet, but not what we expected from them, either.
The next team does better: ISA lower the best time by one more second, as they're clocked at 15'00!
While Rakuten reach the second checkpoint at 33'26, and still look very harmonic, let's recapitulate the first intermediate times:
1. ISA 15'00
2. Berg + 1"
3. Rakuten + 2"
4. Valio + 8"
5. Iberia + 25"
6. Sauber + 42"
7. Xero + 47"
Kraftwerk with a rather slow start as well, as they are 18" back and currently only take 5th!
Iberia are rapidly approaching the second time check, but they lost more time on Rakuten: + 32"
In the meantime, Carrefour confirm at the first time check that the preview wasn't completely wrong: + 1'42 already!
Which is quite much the same deficit as Xero have at the second checkpoint: + 1'42
Lierse looks to be on track, but the stopwatch doesn't agree: + 55" at Inter 1.
Berg clearly extend their lead by the second split time, as they clock at 33'03 and are now 23" ahead!
As expected, Europcar don't know what "ahead" means; they're rather working on the "behind" side. + 1'33 and currently second-to-last at the first checkpoint.
Another stage favorite team approaches the first intermediate time, and Duolingo aren't able to take the lead, either. + 7", about level with Valio.
Sauber reach the second split time, and they haven't found the extra gear yet. + 2'33
And we can already see Valio in the background, so they must be quite a lot faster than the sammarinese team. Indeed, the clock stops at 33'53 - but that means a huge deficit of 50"! That's a real surprise - and a bad one for the Finns!
Philips is the next team to reach checkpoint number one. However, they won't like what they see - 45" back, only P9 currently.
ISA have already done 11.7km more, meaning they're about to reach the second checkpoint. And they've lost their lead - by 19"! This still puts them in 2nd, though - can they strike back on the last section?
Meanwhile, Andorra reach the first intermediate time 55" late. Quite much as expected, though.
Rakuten opened the race - they're the first team to reach the finish line, too. Looking at their intermediate times, 53'09 could be a decent final time.
cycleYorkshire, ranked amongst the top favorites by the bookies, have a rather slow start: + 32". However, the remaining sections see a more constant terrain - could this help them?
After 15 teams have passed the first checkpoint, let's take a look at the Top 10:
1. ISA 15'00
2. Berg + 1"
3. Rakuten + 2"
4. Duolingo + 7"
5. Valio + 8"
6. Kraftwerk + 18"
7. Iberia + 25"
8. cycleYorkshire + 32"
9. Sauber + 42"
10. Philips + 45"
Kraftwerk, one of the preview's stage favorites, have still not found their speed. + 1'09" at the second split. Is the profile still too flat for them?
With now 8 teams having passed this checkpoint, let's have a look at the timings as well:
1. Berg 33'03
2. ISA + 19"
3. Rakuten + 23"
4. Valio + 50"
5. Iberia + 55"
6. Kraftwerk + 1'09
7. Xero + 2'05
8. Sauber + 2'33
Euskaltel are next to reach the first split time. And they match Kraftwerk's time for P6, being 18" back.
Were Iberia able to gain back some time on the last section? They were 32" back. And now, the clock stands at 53'48 - meaning a 39" deficit. Not great, but it could have been worse for Izagirre. Even though we probably don't know the winning time yet.
ENI - MOL has meanwhile reached the first intermediate time. 20" back is better than expected, currently P8.
Lierse have caught Carrefour as they reach the second checkpoint side by side. Lierse clocks at 34'40 (+ 1'37), whereas Carrefour have lost about 2'30 on them - 4'09 in total, to be precise. Which is dead last.
Xero lost some more time on Rakuten, but not as much as before: + 1'52 in the end, only 10" more than at the second checkpoint. Did the japanese team fade on the last section, or did Xero save some forces for this part of the race?
Campari clocks at 15'29 at the first split, meaning + 29" and P10. About as expected as well.
Final meters for Berg! But they're in trouble, as only three men stay together as they reach the finish line! Will this cost the lead?
No! Even with their horrible last kilometer, Berg save 16" on Rakuten and take the lead with the new time to beat: 52'53! The winning time?
At least, they're able to keep Duolingo at bay. + 18" for the Swiss team, one second ahead of ISA and currently P2 at the second time check.
You may have noticed that Europcar should have arrived there before. They haven't, as Duolingo have already passed them. The French are 3'55 back and fight for the red lantern against their Carrefour compatriots.
Popo4Ever are already in the downhill section after the first split, where they arrived 20" late. P8 at the moment, which should be OK.
At least, they're much faster - almost a minute - than Delvaux who have just brought 6 riders as well. 16'07 and + 1'07 for the Belgians. Which is quite much as expected, though.
Philips however won't be happy with P10 at the second checkpoint - already 2'19 back! They are strong on the hills, but not so strong in terms of TT - which seems to punish them quite brutally!
Sauber is then the next team to reach the finish line. They didn't have strong split times, and the end time isn't, either: + 2'48. But even they didn't lose that much time on the final section - "just" 15". Should Berg be afraid?
They might be, as one of the preview favorites approaches the finish line. Valio indeed seem to be very fast on this last section!
And they managed to gain some time back, but it's only 13". Meaning they are 37" behind Berg. Rather disappointing, I would say - but nothing lost for the likes of Gautier yet!
Swisslion then is the last team to cross the line at the first checkpoint. A midfield P14 with + 45" is more than expected in the preview.
Let's take a final look at the top times at checkpoint one:
1. ISA 15'00
2. Berg + 1"
3. Rakuten + 2"
4. Duolingo + 7"
5. Valio + 8"
6. Euskaltel + 18"
7. Kraftwerk + 18"
8. Popo4Ever + 20"
9. ENI - MOL + 20"
10. Iberia + 25"
ISA were first on checkpoint 1, currently third at the second split - how did they perform on this final section?
They seem to be very fast! But the clock ticks...52'50...52'51...52'52...52'53...52'54... and stops at 52'59! As Valio, they were 13" faster than Berg on this final part, but they still come short of the best time by 6". It seems as if the race might not be over yet...
Andorra are still riding in perfect formation, too, but that doesn't seem to make them overly fast. 2'33 back is the brutal verdict at the second checkpoint. That's P12 and the same time as Sauber.
cycleYorkshire have lost clearly less time than Andorra on this second section - but it's still a lot of time. They're currently 8th, but already 1'22 back. Is the race too hilly for one of the bookies' pre-race favorites?
Talking about pre-stage favorites, here comes Kraftwerk, one of the top teams in the preview. But for them, the stage wasn't too hilly, they rather found it too easy. And so, no big result: + 1'10 at the finish line, which is P6, and only one second more than at the second checkpoint. Which confirms Berg's sub-optimal third section once again.
Euskaltel now reach the second checkpoint. They had P6 at the fist one - and now they lose at least one spot. Currently 7th with + 1'01. What do they have left?
ENI - MOL lose a lot of time, too, as the second split time indicates a deficit of 1'13. Which means currently P9 and still a midfield place.
Lierse are then expected at the finish line. And they pay dearly for their slow start: They lost more time on section 1 than on 2 + 3 combined, meaning from 55" to 1'43 at the finish line - and from P18 to currently 7th!
Which of course is still not a big deal compared to Carrefour, who they overtook after 2/3 of the race: + 4'50 for the French team. As expected, we have to say, though.
Campari had an OK start, but they weren't really able to build up on this: they lose almost 2 minutes between splits 1 and 2, meaning + 2'18.
Popo4Ever almost lose one minute on section 2 as well. They're now 1'18 back and currently take P10 at this checkpoint.
But now we are expecting Duolingo at the finish line, who are still 2nd at checkpoint 2. Other teams have already shown it's possible to gain some time on Berg - how fresh were their legs on this final part?
The clock will be the impartial judge, and it's ticking...52'48...52'49...52'50...52'51 - and it stops! Duolingo gain 20" on this final section, and they take the leader seat by just 2"! Who could attack this time now?
Without any surprise, Europcar won't. For them, it's just the fight for (or against) the red lantern - which stays with Carrefour, as Europcar finishes 4'21 behind the new leaders, meaning 31" ahead of the other French team. At least for these two positions, the preview was accurate.
In the meantime, Delvaux pass the second checkpoint. They're exactly 3 minutes back now, which is certainly a disappointment for them, but not unexpected for us.
And with Swisslion reaching the second split time - exactly two minutes back taking P13 - we now have all results at this point. Let's look again at the Top 10:
1. Berg 33'03
2. Duolingo + 18"
3. ISA + 19"
4. Rakuten + 23"
5. Valio + 50"
6. Iberia + 55"
7. Euskaltel + 1'01
8. Kraftwerk + 1'09
9. ENI - MOL + 1'13
10. Popo4Ever + 1'18
We can see that the best of these teams still racing are Euskaltel, but it seems rather unlikely that they ride 43" faster than Duolingo on the final kilometers. Yet, never say never...
Philips wasn't even among the Top 10 at this point and hence aren't expected to finish on a high. Indeed, the clock stops at 55'23, or 2'32 back. P10 at the moment.
It surely wasn't the best of days for Andorra, either. They lose almost 3 minutes; + 2'59 and currently 12th.
cycleYorkshire does much better! In fact, they only lose two tiny seconds on Duolingo in this final section, which is the second best time on this part (gaining 18" on Berg). However, they are still 1'05 behind the Swiss team, taking P7 in the provisional standings. Certainly not what's expected by a pre-race favorite - but to be fair, the preview saw them much lower, around P15.
Euskaltel would have needed to gain 43" on this last section - as expected, they weren't able. They lose another 10" on the Swiss team - still posting a good 3rd section time. A 53" deficit currently means P6, one place behind Valio.
ENI - MOL then are next, and as they were already 1'13 behind, they shouldn't be dangerous, either. But... wait! Obviously, they can't take the lead, but they got really close to Euskaltel! 53'40...53'41...53'42...53'43...53'44...53'45 - they come just one second short of the Spaniards' time! Which means that they even were one second faster than Duolingo on this last part - a great finish!
Campari weren't able to ride at a similar speed, as they lose some more time on this final section to finish on P13, + 2'26.
Only three teams left, and Popo4Ever is on the last 100 meters as well. Their 3rd secion was OK, too, losing only 14" on Duolingo, but with 1'14 back it's only P11 for them. About as predicted.
Here we have the second 6-riders-team - and at least they were able to stay together, as Delvaux reaches the finish line. Not a good day for them, as they lose 3'16 and leaving just the two French teams behind.
Swisslion is the final team on track. They didn't have impressive split times either - and so their final deficit of 2'14 is no surprise. However, P14 is still better than the preview expected them to do.
And with the last team in, we now definitely have a winner: Congrats to Duolingo for the win on this opening stage! They were among the preview's stage favorites, so their performance surely doesn't come as a surprise.
This is quite much different for Berg Cycles, who take a rather surprising 2nd place! It seems like their relative homogeneity actually paid out - most of their riders have very similar Hill and TT stats, whereas in other teams the hills and TT specialists were distinct. The preview didn't consider this, so this great performance was not expected at all. And had they not been that disorganized on the last kilometer, they might have been more than 2" faster...
To round off the podium, we have yet another quite surprising team in ISA - Hexacta. As Berg, they don't have specialists for either domain, but rather good hybrid riders instead. 8" behind is certainly a great performance!
In general, it has to be said that the preview underestimated the influence of the pure TT strength - with cycleYorkshire (TT squad) finishing almost level with Kraftwerk. A great combination of both was the clue - and a certain homogeneity, that Valio and Euskaltel may have been lacking bit.
Before we'll analyze what happened to some GC favorites today, let's have a look at today's Top 10:
1. Duolingo 52'51
2. Berg Cycles + 2"
3. ISA - Hexacta + 8"
4. Rakuten Pro Cycling + 18"
5. Valio - Viking Genetics + 39"
6. Euskaltel - Elior + 53"
7. ENI - MOL + 54"
8. Iberia - Team Degenkolb + 57"
9. cycleYorkshire + 1'06
10. Kraftwerk Man Machine + 1'12
We'd like to apologize for not having posted any images of the victory ceremony - some guy apparently thought that placing the camera behind a huge tree was a great idea.
When talking about individual riders, we definitely have to start with our first GC leader: Zakkari Dempster was the first of his team to cross the line and will wear the jersey tomorrow. Being a great ITT rider, he's got a great position now - but if the hilly stages should be hard, he will suffer. All riders of the Duolingo team actually can do good ITTs, but the only one who's great on the hills as well is Trofimov. He was among the preview favorites, and with today's stage - and e.g. Kelderman having lost more than 2 minutes - his position has greatly improved. Cornu is in a good position as well, if he doesn't lose too much time on the hills.
For the Berg riders, it may already have been the best stage of the race, as they have neither a strong puncheur nor a great ITT rider. The situation should be better for Sepulveda, who only lost 8" today and has a good margin on some great puncheurs/TTers.
Serry is only 20" back, getting him a solid base. However, he needs to gain a lot more time in the hills, as his ITT should be too weak to keep up with the top riders. Behind, the situation for Gautier, Kittel & Co. is still OK, but 40" is still a considerable deficit.
And let's look at some other of the pre-race favorites:
47. Gebrezgabihier + 53"
52. Robert + 55"
54. Costa + 56"
62. Izagirre + 1'00
68. Durbridge + 1'06
70. Viennet + 1'11
72. Flügel + 1'12
85. Schädlich + 1'17
93. Waeytens + 1'47
103. Bilbao + 2'13
122. Kelderman + 2'34
133. Mottin + 3'00
135. Barrio + 3'00
140. Dowsett + 3'04
Most of them are one minute or more back, and especially the puncheurs have to attack starting tomorrow! We're hoping for plenty of action - will you join us again then?
Tour de Slovenie 
