Team BikeExchange-Jayco will compete at Tour of Slovenia from Wednesday, with high expectations for top results as the team takes a squad full of talent to the five-day stage race.
Dylan Groenewegen will have the chance to check his condition before the biggest target of the season, his first Tour de France with the team, and supporting the Dutchman on the days that present sprint opportunities will be Luka Mezgec, who could also target some stages himself at his home race.
For the mountainous stages and eyeing GC contention, Lucas Hamilton and recent Giro d’Italia stage winner Matteo Sobrero will offer the team a strong duo as they support one another on the pivotal stages. The Italian rider finished third in last year’s Tour of Slovenia.
To complete the squad for these five days of racing are Alexandre Balmer, Alexander Konychev and Campbell Stewart.
Team BikeExchange-Jayco at Tour of Slovenia:
Alexandre Balmer (SUI)
Dylan Groenewegen (NED)
Alexander Konychev (ITA)
Lucas Hamilton (AUS)
Luka Mezgec (SLO)
Matteo Sobrero (ITA)
Campbell Stewart (NZL)
Dylan Groenewegen
“It was a really hard but good week in Dauphine and now it’s time for the Tour of Slovenia, before I head to the Tour de France.
It is another really hard race, but we will try to go for the sprint victories there when it is possible. The goal is to continue the preparation for the Tour de France, but of course to win a stage and have a sprint finish in Slovenia would be great for me and also the team.
I have actually raced the Tour of Slovenia once before in 2018 and won a stage, so it would be nice if we can get another win this year.”
Gene Bates – Sport Director
“We have a few goals for this race. It will be one of the last races in preparation for the Tour de France for some of the riders.
Of course, Luka will be very motivated, as he will be competing on his home soil, and we will try to target a couple of stages which really fit his capabilities. Also, Dylan could have a few opportunities, he will have to handle himself well on some climbs but we know that if he is in the final sprint his talent can always make the difference in the final metres.
For the toughest stages we will have Matteo Sobrero and Lucas Hamilton, and they will be fighting on the steepest climbs. We have a good mix of riders, targeting every stage, and this is our goal. We will try our best to make this Tour of Slovenia a successful one.”
Tour of Slovenia 2022, Race Details
Wednesday, June 15th, Stage 1: Nova Gorica to Postojna (164.4km)
Thursday, June 16th, Stage 2: Ptuj to Rogaška Slatina (174.1km)
Friday, June 17th, Stage 3: Žalec to Celje (144.6km)
Saturday, June 18th, Stage 4: Laško to Velika Planina (152.5km)
Sunday, June 19th, Stage 5: Vrhnika to Novo Mesto (156.1km)
Photo: Getty Images
