Fenomenal Thibau Nys wins in Duszniki-Zdrój
The series of difficult, mountainous stages at the start of the 81st Tour de Pologne concluded with a segment from the Old Mine in Wałbrzych to the climb up to COS Jamrozowa Polana in Duszniki-Zdrój. Despite many aggressive moves, the favorites finished in contention for the victory, with the fastest being Thibau Nys, who secured his second stage win in this year’s race. Jonas Vingegaard from Team Visma | Lease a Bike retained the ORLEN leader’s yellow jersey.
The stage, filled with climbs, from the Old Mine in Wałbrzych to the ascent up to COS Jamrozowa Polana in Duszniki-Zdrój, promised great excitement. At the start, a 3-man breakaway took off, including PZU Mountain Classification leader Michał Paluta (Poland National Team), Jan Maas (Team Jayco AlUla), and Nicolas Debeaumarche (Cofidis).
The riders gained a few minutes on the peloton and competed in the PZU KOM sprints at Walimska Pass, Jugowska Pass, and St. Anne’s Mountain. On each of these climbs, Michał Paluta, wearing the polka-dot jersey, was the best, motivated by the cheers of Polish fans along the route. Nicolas Debeaumarche from Cofidis won the LOTTO intermediate sprint in Pieszyce.
On the last of the mentioned climbs, the peloton accelerated, after which the breakaway grew by several riders. Passing along the Stołowe Mountains, the riders climbed towards Karłów, the last PZU KOM prime. Once again, Michał Paluta was the best there.
“We pulled away quite easily, immediately setting a high pace to gain at least a minute’s lead, and it worked. Midway through the stage, another group of riders joined us, and the pace increased significantly. I focused on the mountain sprints, which was my goal from the start,” Michał Paluta recounted.
However, the breakaway didn’t manage to reach the finish line in Duszniki-Zdrój before the main group. Diego Ulissi from UAE Team Emirates was the first to start the sprint, but the finale at Jamrozowa Polana in Duszniki-Zdrój belonged to the young Thibau Nys from Lidl-Trek, who claimed his second stage victory in the 81st Tour de Pologne.
“I knew this was a route that suited my characteristics and the type of rider I am. I knew I could get close. Today I found the legs to try again and it went well. Before coming to the Tour de Pologne, I focused on my strengths and worked very hard. I have to thank my team for believing in me and putting me in the right position. It was a bit difficult for me after losing Ryan in the crash, it made me lose focus for a few moments. It’s never nice to know that one of your team mates has crashed and I hope he’s OK now. This win is for him,” said Thibau Nys.
Diego Ulissi and Wilco Kelderman, second in the ORLEN general classification, completed the podium. The leader remained his teammate from Team Visma | Lease a Bike, Jonas Vingegaard, a two-time Tour de France winner who reached the finish line with the first group. At the finish, he was happy to defend the leader’s jersey and recalled 2019, when he couldn’t keep the lead after a stage win.
“It was a very demanding stage with descents and climbs. We had a few dangerous moments. The finale was very beautiful. Thibau Nys showed that he is a rider suited for this type of finish, but all those fighting for the general classification were at the front and finished—Vingegaard, Ulissi, Kelderman.” said Czesław Lang, General Director of the Tour de Pologne.
Tomorrow, the riders will fight on a stage from Kudowa-Zdrój to Prudnik, where sprinters are expected to compete for the victory.
Best riders on stage 3 of 81st Tour de Pologne
DRUTEX Stage Winner: Thibau Nys (Lidl-Trek)
DECATHLON Team General Classification: UAE Team Emirates
ENERGA GRUPA ORLEN Prime for the Best Polish Rider: Piotr Pękala (reprezentacja Polski)
Polish Television Special Prize: Piotr Pękala (reprezentacja Polski)
Leaders of the classification in the 81st Tour de Pologne after 3 stages
ORLEN General Classification: Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma I Lease a Bike)
PZU Best Climber Classification: Michał Paluta (reprezentacja Polski)
ENERGA Sprinter Classification: Diego Ulissi (UAE Team Emirates)
LOTTO Most Active Rider Classification: Szymon Sajnok (Q36.5)