Following Pogi Team, Pika Team by Mastercard was officially presented today at the Dinit headquarters in Izola . This is a women's cycling team that will operate under the auspices of KD Rog and will focus primarily on the work and development of young female cyclists. Pika Team was created following the example of Pogi Team, which was founded by the most successful Slovenian and world cyclist Tadej Pogačar.

His project also impressed his partner, Urška Žigart, Slovenia's most successful female cyclist, who decided to offer the opportunity to promising young Slovenian cyclists. The team of 30 cyclists includes girls of different age groups, from young girls to older teenagers and members up to 23 years of age. The aim of the Pika Team project is to provide promising cyclists with the conditions to train and compete at the highest level and to promote women's competitive cycling in Slovenia. On this occasion, the partners of Pika Team also presented themselves in Izola, where the team is currently preparing for the start of the season. In addition to the main sponsors, Dinit and Mastercard, there is also the bicycle equipment supplier Factor bikes. For more than 20 years, the KD ROG youth teams have also received substantial support from Zavarovalnica Generali, as well as from Plume and MO Ljubljana.  KD ROG president Andrej Hauptman also attended the press conference and expressed his hope that the establishment of Pika Team will breathe new life into Slovenian women's cycling.

ANDREJ HAUPTMAN, President of KD Rog

This is a youth women's team led by Slovenia's best female cyclist, Urška Žigart, who, like Tadej Pogačar, began her serious cycling career at KD Rog. Like Pogi Team, Pika Team is focused on supporting young cyclists who, with professional guidance, top-notch training, and team spirit, are preparing for the highest level of professional cycling. The team combines a passion for sport and perseverance, promoting team spirit and caring for future generations of top cyclists. At KD Rog, we will strive to provide the girls with the best possible conditions for success at the highest level.

Urška Žigart, creative director of the Pika Team project, had club commitments today, as her team, AG Insurance – Soudal Team, was officially presented to the public. She therefore explained her decision to establish Pika Team in a special video message.

URŠKA ŽIGART founder of PikaTeam

I embarked on the Pika Team project because I wanted to give back to Slovenian cycling some of what it had given me in the past. When I became a member of KD Rog in 2015, it changed my life. Today, I know what young girls need to develop, and at Pika Team, we will strive to provide them with these conditions. We will strive to provide them with appropriate professional support, equipment, nutritional advice, and everything else that is part of the training and competition process. Women's cycling in Slovenia lags behind men's, but we will strive to reduce this gap. Both teams will share the coaching team and other professional assistance, while also collaborating in the training process. We invite all girls and young talents who want to try their hand at this demanding sport to join the Piko Team. We look forward to working with you.

Coaches Martin Krašek and Lara Maretič have taken on the task of working with young female cyclists.

MARTIN KRAŠEK, coach of Pika Team

Pika Team brings together cyclists from the youngest categories, girls, all the way up to older members, i.e. U23. Eleven girls are participating in the first preparations here in Izola. Unfortunately, we had a few illnesses in the team, so the rest are not in Izola these days. We also did not invite girls who do not yet have enough experience for safe training in traffic to this gathering. The Pika Team senior team held their winter training last week. The Pika Team senior squad completed their winter training last week. We are already preparing for the first tests of the season, which will begin with races in Umag and Poreč on March 5 and 9, while the girls will compete for the first time on home soil at the 1st Piran Grand Prix on March 22, organized by KD Rog.

Pija Galof is one of the girls from whom the team expects the most.

PIJA GALOF – member of U23

For me, membership in the Pika Team represents a new opportunity after two challenging years and a fresh energy that will help me demonstrate my capabilities. I also think that for all the girls, this represents a better environment and an opportunity for growth in this sport. The highlights of the season will definitely be the two UCI stage races in the Czech Republic and, of course, the European Championships, if I prove to be ready for it.

The sponsors' representatives also expressed their satisfaction at the team presentation, having broken new ground in women's cycling in Slovenia at the highest levels by joining the project.

LUKA GABROVŠEK. Country Manager, Mastercard Slovenia

At Mastercard, we recognize sport as one of the central passions of individuals, while also playing an important role in creating a more inclusive and encouraging environment for young female athletes. We are convinced that investing in them is one of the most important investments for the future, which is why we are delighted to be part of the new success story of Slovenian cycling.

PRIMOŽ PATRU, Chairman of the Management Board of Dinit d.o.o.        

We are a technology company that operates primarily in the world of digital payments, but we encourage a healthy and high-quality lifestyle for our employees. In the Pika Team project, we recognized values that are also close to our hearts. Cycling is a sport that requires discipline and hard work, perfection, and courage. Without these, you cannot succeed in either sport or business. Cycling is a sport that also beautifully emphasizes the values of sustainable development, to which we are committed. Our sponsorship of Pika Team and our desire to help develop women's cycling in Slovenia addresses the value of equal social inclusion, as girls still have a harder time in sports than boys.

The slogan of Pika Team is: Turn by turn closer to your dreams, and from today, dreams are allowed.