It cannot be a coincidence.
The first race on the planet contested after three months of stoppage due to the pandemic took place on June 21.
It was the national championship of… Slovenia.
We do not suspect it, but the Tour de France was launched… That day, Primoz Roglic was ahead of Tadej Pogacar who took his revenge in the national time trial and reversed the roles.
Two and a half months later, the two men are still 1 and 2 as on the spring roads of Pod Krvavcem.
But this time, it is at the head of the general classification of the Tour de France that it happens.
A small wooded nation at the center of Europe of 2 million souls who are said to be home to more bears than inhabitants, Slovenia achieves the incredible miracle of placing two of its own at the top of the largest world race.
Two men who have already won a stage each: Roglic in yellow and Pogacar in white with the jersey of the best youngster.
Imagine: this prodigy is not even 22 years old - he will have them on September 21, the day after the finish of the race - and he is predicted to have a quick and long reign on the Tour.
In Slovenia, TV audiences explode
This Friday on the arduous slopes of Puy Mary, the two friends in life placed an attack which relegates Egan Bernal to nearly a minute (59 seconds).
The Tour was not won or lost in Cantal but it is clearly refining positions.
We know who these two strong men are and they have the same nationality.
"It was indeed a Slovenian day," smiles Roglic, leader of the Jumbo Visma armada.
Two guys from home in the first two places of the Tour, it's a bit crazy!
"
First Slovenian in history in yellow since Sunday, Roglic remains the number 1 favorite more than ever. This is in any case the opinion of his young compatriot, ahead of 44 seconds in the general: “Primoz was very, very strong in the final.
So hard that I could barely follow him.
He is very sharp.
However, I will continue to fight to keep all my chances, ”concedes his ambitious younger brother.
In Ljubljana and in the big cities of the country, the domination of the two accomplices explodes the television audience records.
A third of the country is glued to its screen every afternoon.
Slovenia is passionate about this so different Tour.
"If you look at Slovenia's results in sport, we are a top nation," said Roglic, the former ski jumper.
As far as cycling is concerned, we are in a situation of emulation.
We push each other to be better every day.
The recipe is simple and seems to work.
Perhaps it can inspire other nations?
