Bukowina for the best climbers

This stage can change everything. Present on the Tour de Pologne route for many years, Bukowina Tatrzańska boasts an impressive list of winners. Remco Evenepoel, Joao Almeida, Simon Yates, Rafał Majka, and Matej Mohoric are just some of the riders who have triumphed in this Tatra village. Who will join their ranks today?

It’s time for the “queen” stage of the 81st Tour de Pologne. On Saturday, the riders will race over a 180-kilometer route from Wadowice–the town where Pope John Paul II was born and raised – to BUKOVINA Resort in Bukowina Tatrzańska. The biggest challenges today will be the climbs up the iconic Harnaś Wall in Rzepiska and the Bukowina Wall in Gliczarów, which the cyclists will ascend twice. All these climbs are classified as PZU first-category mountain primes. The route also includes LOTTO intermediate sprints in Jabłonka and Szaflary.

“The start in Wadowice is meant to remind us of the town where the great Pole, John Paul II, was born, which is why we decided to start from Wadowice. We pass through the Krowiarki Pass, Szaflary, and enter the circuit that cycling enthusiasts know very well. The finish will be at BUKOVINA Resort, with the riders tackling the climbs of Gliczarów and Harnaś Wall, with the finish in the same spot where Rafał Majka and Remco Evenepoel have won. This stage is dedicated to those who may not be fully satisfied with the overall classification. It will be the queen stage, which could change everything,” said Czesław Lang, general director of the Tour de Pologne.

After two days for the fastest riders, the climbers will be back in action. The winner of the sixth stage will not be a coincidence – on such a demanding section, only the best will compete for victory. Bukowina Tatrzańska and BUKOVINA Resort remember the great triumphs of Remco Evenepoel, Joao Almeida, Rafał Majka, Simon Yates, and Matej Mohoric.

Today, we can also expect fierce competition, as everything is still up for grabs in the ORLEN general classification. The current leader is Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard from Team Visma | Lease a Bike, with another rider from the Dutch team, Wilco Kelderman, in third place. Sandwiched between them is Diego Ulissi from UAE Team Emirates, just 19 seconds behind the leader.

Competing for the stage victory and taking the lead in the general classification will be Romain Gregoire (Groupama-FDJ), Magnus Sheffield (INEOS Grenadiers), or Matej Mohoric from Bahrain Victorious–the reigning Tour de Pologne champion–who knows the taste of victory in Bukowina Tatrzańska. In previous stages, he has shown that he is highly motivated to raise his hands in triumph once again. Other experienced climbers and riders specializing in challenging climbs, such as Rafał Majka, may also fight for the win.

The “queen” stage of the 81st Tour de Pologne promises to be exceptional!