Determination and fighting spirit — how Paluta won the PZU best climber classification?

The polka-dot jersey is one of the most iconic elements of races worldwide. In the 81st Tour de Pologne, courageous escapees fought for the white-and-blue jersey of the PZU best climber classification. The jersey was claimed by Michał Paluta from the Polish national team.

The challenging route of the 81st Tour de Pologne was relentless from the very beginning. The riders started the race with a bang, tackling three demanding stages in Lower Silesia, where there was no shortage of climbs. Already on the first day, as the riders raced from Wrocław to Karpacz, they expressed their desire to compete for the jerseys — including that of the PZU KOM classification leader.

At Tąpadła Pass, Michał Paluta from the Polish national team came out on top, beating Dutchman Jan Maas, riding for Team Jayco AlUla. As it turned out later, the battle between these two riders kept us on the edge of our seats for the following days. “I’ve tried many times to bring this jersey to the finish of the final stage, and I hope this time I will succeed,” said Michał Paluta after the first stage.

After the time trial, the 28-year-old maintained his lead and took on the third stage, which ran from Wałbrzych to Duszniki-Zdrój, COS, still wearing the blue-spotted jersey. The large number of points available on several iconic climbs in this region tempted both Michał Paluta and Jan Maas, who engaged in several exciting sprint battles. Four times, the Pole came out ahead of the Dutchman, allowing him to once again don the jersey on the stage podium. “I focused on the mountain primes, which was my plan from the start. For the sixth stage, I have the same plan as for the first and third. That’s where everything will be decided,” commented Michał Paluta at Jamrozowa Polana in Duszniki-Zdrój.

The next two stages were for the sprinters, but on the climbs in Małopolska, in and around Bukowina Tatrzańska, the Polish national team rider had to give everything to defend his lead in the PZU best climber classification. The start of the stage was full of attacks, and a small group of riders broke away from the peloton.

Jan Maas wasn’t in this group, but neither was Michał Paluta, who did everything he could to catch up with the leaders. For several dozen kilometers, he chased the leading group, but ultimately he couldn’t reach them. However, the large lead he had built up in the first few days of the race allowed him to maintain his lead.

On the final day, the Pole no longer had anything to worry about, and he rode into Kraków’s Błonia Park as the sure winner of the PZU best climber classification in the 81st Tour de Pologne. “I made it, or rather, I worked hard for this victory in the King of the Mountains classification. For many years, I’ve tried to win this jersey, but luck hasn’t always been on my side, and I haven’t always been able to make the most of my good legs. This year, together with my coach, Sylwester Szmyd, we set the goal of arriving at the Tour de Pologne in top form. I am very grateful to my coach,” said Michał Paluta after the race.