"I expect that all the best Slovenian cyclists will respond to the invitation" - Slovenian national coach confident despite concerns over Rwanda World Championships

In 2024, Tadej Pogacar put in one of the greatest individual performances of all-time in Zurich, attacking from 100km out to bring Slovenia their very first elite men's Rainbow Jersey. In 2025, Pogacar is set to defend his world title in Rwanda and despite some concerns, Slovenian national coach Uros Murn seems relatively confident in his team's chances.

"We will have nine places in the World Championship road race next year, one extra spot coming from the fact that we have a world champion among our ranks," Murn explains in conversation with Siol.net. "I expect that all the best Slovenian cyclists will respond to the invitation, unless of course there are injuries, if someone is out of shape, etc. Next year we will have nine cyclists in the World Tour, which is a good thing (Tadej Pogacar, Primoz Roglic, Matej Mohoric, Jan Tratnik, Luka Mezgec, Domen Novak, Matevz Govekar, Gal Glivar and Zak Erzen), but of course we can also count on Jako Primožič and Matic Žumra, who were at the championship this year."

As mentioned, the fact the 2025 World Championships are being held in Rwanda hasn't been a decision made without criticism. As Murn notes, Slovenia too have already run into issues. "We had planned to visit the route and hotels where we could stay in the fall, but at that time a virus with a very high mortality rate was spreading in Rwanda (Marburg virus, ed.), so we postponed the visit," he explains. "There are three viruses present in Rwanda (malaria, dengue fever and chikungunya), against which vaccination is required, but immunity can also be acquired with tablets. The protocol in this regard will be provided by doctor Krištof Knap, who has already studied what is optimal for cyclists to avoid affecting their general fitness."

It's not just the potential of illness and disease either, also the cost. "Hoteliers have increased their prices tenfold, which is truly incredible. If the price of hotel accommodation was 50 euros per day just two years ago, during the World Championship the price will jump to 500 euros per day, which does not mean that they will increase the quality of services, but only the price," he laments. "We can stay anywhere, but the fact is that there are not enough good hotels in Kigali, which the best hotels will take advantage of and raise their prices."

Nevertheless, unlike Denmark, who will only send their elite squads due to the cost, Slovenia are intent in sending riders of all ages to Africa. "We will send all teams to the World Championship and provide them with the maximum support we can offer them, from a doctor, a chef, a masseur..." Murn reveals.

And as for Slovenia's two biggest stars, Tadej Pogacar and Primoz Roglic, Murn is confident both will travel, despite the fact the Vuelta a Espana finishes just two weeks before the men's elite road race. "No, that's good, actually ideal. We'll see, Tadej will most likely compete in the Vuelta, but we'll see about Primoz," Murn concludes.