Rudi Valenčič

Throughout the 1960s and into the early 1970s Slovenian cyclist Rudi Valenčič became one of the best in the sport in Yugoslavia. In the early 1960s Valenčič finished second at the Tour of Croatia-Slovenia, performed well at the Tour of Bulgaria, and won a stage of the Tour de l’Avenir in France. In 1964 he did the double of becoming the national champion and winning the Tour of Yugoslavia, in addition to also winning the Tour of Serbia.

After finishing third in the road race at the 1965 national championships Valenčič then rode in the Tour of Austria the following year, placing sixth overall, including finishing on the podium on three stages. In 1967 he finished second overall at the Tour of Austria and won his second national road race title. One year later Valenčič won another edition of the Tour of Yugoslavia and was selected to compete at the Olympics. At the Mexico City Games he finished 39th in the road race, as well as 16th in the team time trial with his compatriots. Towards the end of his career Valenčič won bronze in the team time trial at the 1971 Mediterranean Games.