“I am not the new Pogacar” – Slovenia’s next star Jakob Omrzel wins the Giro d'Italia Under 23

Slovenian cycling may have found its next big talent. Jakob Omrzel has become only the second Slovenian rider to win the Giro d'Italia Under 23, completing an impressive comeback on the final stage to take overall victory.

Riding for the Bahrain-Victorious Development Team, Omrzel sealed the title in Pinerolo by finishing second on the final stage, enough to overturn an 11 second deficit to Australian Luke Tuckwell (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe Rookies). Remarkably, Omrzel took the overall win without winning a single stage.

“This is something incredible,” he said to Sportal. “I honestly didn't expect to win the first year of this race, but I wanted it and set a high goal for myself. If you have a goal and work towards it, you can achieve great things. I will say again that I am not the new Pogacar, I am just Jakob Omrzel and we will see what I can do in the future.”

The 19-year-old from Novo Mesto has been quietly building a name for himself this season. He recently finished fourth at the Tour of Slovenia, claiming the white jersey for best young rider, and his performance over the past week confirms him as one of the brightest U23 prospects in the sport.

He credited his team and the race’s cooperative dynamic for the success. “I knew I felt good, but I didn't know if it would be enough to make a difference to Tuckwell,” Omrzel explained. “I knew it was possible, I believed in it and I worked hard for it. With the help of the team, we did a great job. But I also have to thank Nordhagen for continuing to be there at the front. He didn't just wait for me. He helped and worked hard. It was a perfect ending for both of us.”

Omrzel may have announced himself as Slovenia’s next promise after Pogacar and Primoz Roglic, but he is quick to distance himself from the inevitable comparisons. “I haven’t grasped everything yet. It will take me a few more days for something like this. I’m proud, I really can’t find the right words to describe it all. I think it's still too soon for the real Giro. We'll see how I feel next year.”