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30 seconds for the leading group before the Zemplínska Teplica. Peloton tried to keep an eye on the guys in the break.

Milan Vader (Jumbo - Visma) earned 11 points after three categorized climbs and was sure to lead KOM competition after Stage 1. After that he only needed to cross the finish line within limit.

The leading group has a 40 seconds advantage.

Results of categorized climb Slanské sedlo:
1. place: Milan Vader (Jumbo - Visma) 6 points
2. place: Koen Bouwman (Jumbo - Visma) 4 points
3. place: Mulu Kinfe Hailemichael (Caja Rural - Seguros RGA) 2 points
4. place: Bruno Armirail (Groupama - FDJ) 1 point

The leading group consists of Kasper Asgreen and Rémi Cavagna (2x Soudal - Quick-Step), Koen Bouwman and Milan Vader (2x Jumbo - Visma), Bruno Armirail and Stefan Küng (2x Groupama - FDJ), Davide Bais (EOLO-Kometa), Mulu Kinfe Hailemichael (Caja Rural - Seguros RGA), Alessandro Tonelli (Green Project - Bardiani CSF), Bart Lemmen (Human Powered Health), Antoine Debons (Team Corratec), Jakub Otruba (ATT Investments), Urko Berrade Fernandez (Equipo Kern Pharma) and Davide De Cassan (Friuli ASD).

The breakaway formed on the climb Slanské sedlo. 14 cyclists are at the front. Thibaut Pinot (Groupama - FDJ) also tried to get away.

Peloton caught the sextet before the foot of the climb Slanské sedlo (5,3 km - 4,7 %) and all came back together.

Before the third categorized climb on 24th km, a group of six formed ahead of the peloton.

Results of categorized climb Marika:
1. place: Jan Bárta (Elkov - Kasper) 3 points
2. place: Milan Vader (Jumbo - Visma) 2 points
3. place: Alessandro Santaromita Villa (Green Project - Bardiani CSF) 1 point

Jan Bárta (Elkov - Kasper) was the first to reach the top of the climb and added three more points to one point from previous climb. Leader of KOM competition remains Milan Vader (Jumbo - Visma), second on Marika.

Shortly after first climb riders began tackling second climb of third category Marika (3 km - 3,7 %). 

Results of categorized climb Krížik:

1. place: Milan Vader (Jumbo - Visma) 3 points
2. place: Jesse Kramer (Jumbo - Visma) 2 points
3. place: Jan Bárta (Elkov - Kasper) 1 point

No breakaway formed during the first climb. Milan Vader (Jumbo - Visma) was the first among the peloton to reach the climb.

First stage is underway. Right from the beginning, riders are ascending the opening 3rd category climb Krížik (1,7 km - 5,4 %). The winner of the mountain sprint gains three points.

Bart Lemmen from team Human Powered Health fell during the transition from ceremonial to real start and took down one rider of HRE Mazowsze Serce Polski.

Ceremonial start took place in front of  Hotel Hilton in Košice. Real start is planned to be on Sečovská street.

Thibaut Pinot of Groupama - FDJ came to give mandatory signature before the start of the stage.

Welcome to the online text coverage from the first stage of Tour of Slovakia's 67th year. Today cyclists will tackle 173 km course starting and finishing in Slovakian second-largest city Košice.

First stage starts at 10:15 and ends around at 14:00. The course is hilly and contains four categorized climbs and three intermediate sprints. From 13:15 you can watch live broadcast (with Slovak commentary) here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13OPUmxvitk

Thank you for watching our live text coverage from ceremonial presentation and official start of 67th year of Tour of Slovakia. First stage starts tomorrow in Košice at 10:15. Our live text coverage begins at 10.00.

The last team to present themselves is Soudal - Quick-Step led by Tim Merlier. Another competitors are last year's overall winner Josef Černý, winner of the 18th stage at Tour de France Kasper Asgreen, Andrea Bagioli, Tim Declercq, Rémi Cavagna and Bert Van Lerberghe. Slovakian rider Martin Svrček also planned to compete, but won't due to injury.

Jumbo - Visma brought back to Slovakia their Koen Bouwman, who won stage in Spišská Nová Ves last year, he will be joined by Gijs Leemreize, Timo Roosen, Milan Vader, Loe Van Belle, Jesse Kramer and Colby Simmons.

Astana – Qazaqstan came to Slovakia again after last year and their leader will be sprinter Cees Bol, he will enjoy help from Dmitry Gruzdev, Artyom Zacharov, Davide Martinelli, Evgeny Fedorov, Gleb Syritsa and Michele Gazzoli.

One of the biggest stars of 67th edition of Tour of Slovakia is Thibaut Pinot from Groupama – FDJ. French team returns after a break, last time they competed in Slovakia was in 2019. Pinot was joined by Bruno Armirail, David Gaudu, Ignatas Konovalovas, Stefan Küng, Olivier Le Gac and Brieuc Rolland.