Laurence Pithie doubles up at Tour of Slovenia

Laurence Pithie (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) continued his fine run of June form by winning stage 3 of the Tour of Slovenia in Celje.

The New Zealander beat Ivan Cobo (Kern Pharma) and Stefano Oldani (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) to the line to retain the overall lead. 

The day was animated by a breakaway containing Marcel Gladek (Factor Racing), Erik Fetter (Team United Shipping), and Paul Wright (Modern Adventure), and the trio cooperated until they were caught with less than 30 kilometres to go.

As expected, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe controlled the proceedings and split the peloton up on the final climb of the day, Celjska koča (7.9 kilometers at 6.2%). 

All things were set up for another reduced bunch sprint in the 2026 Tour of Slovenia, with Red Bull attempting to tee up Laurence Pithie for his second victory in the race after he won the opening stage. 

Unai Iribar (Equipo Kern Pharma) had attempted to get the better of the status quo bunch sprint with an audacious attack with 19km to go, but the Spaniard was caught.

Red Bull led the peloton all the way to the finish and the question remaining was whether they were able to finish it off.

Heading into the final 2km, it was a well-drilled train for Red Bull, but so too were Kern Pharma and Euskaltel - Euskadi, with the sprint showdown approaching.

Mattia Cattaneo went for a late flyer just under the flamme rouge, with Caja Rural chasing it down, and that teed up Stefano Oldani to launch his sprint. Unfortunately for the Italian, Pithie outgunned him by half a wheel.

The win is Pithie's second victory of the 2026 edition, though he faces an almost impossible task to defend the leader's jersey after the queen stage on Saturday.