Tour of Slovenia: Columbia’s Uran Takes Stage 3 (Videos)

"This is very important for me and for the team before Tour [de France]. The descent was dangerous, but that is just descent. I'm in Slovenia for the first time, my goal is Tour. I had good legs, I tried and the finish suited me," Uran said.

The third stage saw an early breakaway by Germans Marcel Kittel and Roger Kluge, but they were caught before a climb to a 652-metre hill above Celje.

Roglič, the best Slovenian today, tried to take the lead but attacked a little too early in the final ascent. He did, however, win the blue jersey for mountain finishes.

"This is my first race in a month and a half. I'm happy with the performance and I'm looking forward to the coming days," said Roglič, whom many consider the favourite for the final victory.

Another Slovenian, Matej Mohorič was also looking good for quite some time but lost time in the final climb. He crossed the finish line tenth followed by Tadej Pogačar in eleventh place. Jani Brajkovič was 13th and Jure Golčer 18th.

Cyclists will take on a 155.2-kilometre stage from Ljubljana to Kamnik on Saturday.

* Results of the third stage:
 1. Rigoberto Uran (COL/Cannondale Drapac)                  4:00:56
 2. Daryl Impey (RSA/Mitchelton - Scott)                  same time
 3. Primož Roglič (SLO/LottoNL-Jumbo)                        + 0:04
 4. Rafal Majka (POL/Bora-Hansgrohe)                      same time
 5. Ildar Arslanov (RUS/Gazprom RusVelo)                       0:06
 6. Robert Kišerlovski (CRO/Katjuša Alpecin)                   0:11
 7. Marco Canola (ROM/Nippo Vinni Fantini Europa Ovini)        0:12
 8. Michael Storer (AUT/Sunweb)                                0:14
 9. Davide Formolo (ITA/Bora-Hansgrohe)                   same time
10. Matej Mohorič (SLO/Bahrain-Merida)                         0:16
11. Tadej Pogačar (SLO/Ljubljana Gusto Xaurum)            same time
...
13. Janez Brajkovič (SLO/Adria Mobil)                          0:24
18. Jure Golčer (SLO/Adria Mobil)                              0:37
21. Grega Bole (SLO/Bahrain-Merida)                            0:49

- standings after three out of five stages
 1. Rigoberto Uran (COL/Cannondale Drapac)                 11:08:34
 2. Daryl Impey (RSA/Mitchelton - Scott)                     + 0:04
 3. Primož Roglič (SLO/LottoNL-Jumbo)                          0:10
 4. Rafal Majka (POL/Bora-Hansgrohe)                           0:14
 5. Ildar Arslanov (RUS/Gazprom RusVelo)                       0:16
 6. Robert Kišerlovski (CRO/Katjuša Alpecin)                   0:21
 7. Marco Canola (ROM/Nippo Vinni Fantini Europa Ovini)        0:22
 8. Davide Formolo (ITA/Bora-Hansgrohe)                        0:24
 9. Michael Storer (AUT/Sunweb)                                0:24
10. Matej Mohorič (SLO/Bahrain-Merida)                         0:25
11. Tadej Pogačar (SLO/Ljubljana Gusto Xaurum)                 0:27
...
14. Janez Brajkovič (SLO/Adria Mobil)                          0:34
18. Jure Golčer (SLO/Adria Mobil)                              0:47
21. Grega Bole (SLO/Bahrain-Merida)                            0:59