The best sprinters will fight in Prudnik

After three mountainous stages, it’s time for a moment of respite and a sprinting showdown. Such a contest is expected on the 81st Tour de Pologne stage from Kudowa-Zdrój to Prudnik – the city of Stanisław Szozda.

The challenging start to the Tour de Pologne has provided fans with many emotions and has selected a group of riders who are likely to fight for victory in the ORLEN general classification. At this moment, Jonas Vingegaard from Team Visma | Lease a Bike is leading, ahead of the approaching Wilco Kelderman and Diego Ulissi.

Today, there shouldn’t be any changes in the general classification, and the sprinters will most likely come to the forefront. The stage from Kudowa-Zdrój to Prudnik – the city of the outstanding Polish cyclist Stanisław Szozda – will be the longest in this edition. The nearly 200-kilometer route is not flat – right after the start, the cyclists will face a long, 7-kilometer climb. They will then enter slightly easier terrain, where the LOTTO sprint bonus will be located in Bystrzyca Kłodzka.

The last major challenge will come before the halfway point of the race, at Jaworowa Pass, where the riders will compete for points in the PZU mountain classification. After active ride, Michał Paluta from the Polish national team is currently leading in this classification.

The riders will then head towards Prudnik, battling on the Soudal special bonus in Kamieniec Ząbkowicki, as well as the LOTTO sprint bonuses in Ząbkowice Śląskie and Otmuchów along the way. The finish line is set in Prudnik, where the fastest riders in the field should fight it out.

As usual, the sprint lineup is packed with stars, many of whom have already triumphed on the Tour de Pologne route. Tim Merlier (Soudal – Quick Step), Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), Olav Kooij (Team Visma | Lease a Bike), Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain Victorious), and Pascal Ackermann (Israel – Premier Tech) are just a few of the riders who have previously raised their hands in victory on Polish roads.

The motivation to claim victory today will be immense, as the sprinters have been waiting for their chance for 3 days. A fierce battle is expected in the final meters in Prudnik, with Polish riders like Stanisław Aniołkowski from Cofidis – who finished second in one of this year’s Giro d’Italia stages – likely to be involved. Polish national team riders, including national champion Norbert Banaszek and Radosław Frątczak, who finished fourth in a stage of the ORLEN Nations’ Grand Prix, may also shine.

An exciting competition is shaping up, culminating in a fast finish on the streets of Prudnik, a town rich in cycling history!