We know him, don't we? It's that naughty boy from the valley of Besnica who has been the most successful Slovenian cyclist in road cycling at the highest level for several years now. The results that he has achieved in stage races of the world's highest profile speak for themselves. But the whole story is far more than just plain numbers.

On paper Tadej has all the characteristics one needs for the final and decisive move. From his early days onwards he is considered to be one of the greatest talents of his generation for stage races, his physical predisposition for winning big stage races being just perfect. His light physique, good balance between weight and power, perfect oxygen usage and quick recovery are merely fundamental qualities. These must have been passed on to him (from someone surely), written in his genes. It is called talent.

Considering that talent isn’t everything (it helps though!) he was on his own in building everything else. In sports all real champions are primarily created. This, however, is an extremely hard and complex task. At the beginning it is required to have iron will, set clear objectives, be strongly motivated and take training as seriously as possible. Stimulative environment, family support and settled social conditions in general are of great importance as well. First results usually help earn the trust of trainers, sport directors and similar »godfathers« that cannot be disregarded. The one who sets oneself to be a leader has to establish a certain level of authority within his team, which can only be realised with the help of great results. In public, on the other hand, one has to have appropriate charisma and positive image. The latter can only be achieved through cooperation and positive relationship with the creators of media reality and with strong media support. All this of course needs time, countless years of hard work, experience and personal maturity.

Tadej learned the basic elements of cycling in his hometown cycling club Sava Kranj. His first pedal turns were made under the close inspection of Franc Plestenjak and Bojan Ropret, the latter one of the best Slovenian cyclists of all time. At that time the pair was working with »pioneers«. In the junior category Tadej came under the direction of Mirko Kavaš. By then it had already become serious, of course. In the junior competition he won practically everything that a cyclist of his stamina could possibly win. In the first and the most difficult years of cycling in the amateur competition Tadej was mentored by Marko Polanc, for whom we could say, helped pave his way to stardom. And it was Franci Hvasti who had been keeping watch over him all those decisive years, from the background, as some kind of a driving force. The one responsible for the fact that cycling in Slovenia is considered fundamental top-level sport.

In 1999 Tadej chose an Italian amateur team Caneva for the springboard into the world of professionalism. And this jump, or better yet flight, was executed in the very best way possible. Practically alone, with no proper help from his team, Tadej came victorious at Baby Giro, the biggest stage race in the world. In the style of the greatest champions. Not only was he the strongest climber, he successfully defended his position on other terrains as well, but above all, he proved to everyone that he can also be a fast time trial racer.

As a professional rider he found himself in one of the strongest cycling teams, Fassa Bortolo. During the four seasons there he often, on account of broken promises, had to stay in the background. However, he learned a lot! And above all achieved results confirming that he has it in his blood and that he is on the right track. As a member of a Swiss team Phonak he was consequently given free hands and the role of a captain at the Giro d’Italia for the last two years. Once again he proved that he belongs to the very top when the roads really turn upwards. The performances that he delivered on various, in terms of terrain outline the most difficult stages, had merely been a dream for Slovenian cyclists. The same applies for the two overall placings in the general classification that could have been even better, I’m absolutely sure of that. There were some minor deficiencies here and there. A little more courage and self-esteem and a bit more support from his team would have certainly helped. And if it had not been for certain bad days at the wrong time, Tadej’s smile at the finish line could have been a lot bigger.

He’s never lost his smile though, there’s that much naughtiness in him for sure. He's got enough experience and has been mature enough for quite some time to achieve even more. Tactics and control over the race have never represented a problem to him. The guy is clever indeed. He recognizes his feelings, is aware of his abilities and qualities, undoubtedly some deficiencies as well. He realizes that in decisive moments everything is up to him, to his reactions and actions. He understands the reactions of his body and mind on hard efforts that are required on stage races. Sacrifice and asceticism of sportsmen are not new to him. He has never had a problem with training and he knows how to pick his form. And of course there's the stubbornness of the people of the Gorenjska region. Therefore I say that it's about time.

This year he is returning to Italy as a member of a team Lampre. Not because of the Giro d’Italia, where he is going to compete as well. He has a new challenge in his mind now, the highest pinnacle in the world of cycling, the world’s biggest race. Tour de France.