Waiting for the next Tour de Pologne…

A constellation of cycling stars lined up at the start of the 81st Tour de Pologne at Centennial Hall in Wrocław. For seven days in August, the colorful peloton traversed Polish roads, finishing in Karpacz, Duszniki-Zdrój, Prudnik, Katowice, Bukowina Tatrzańska, and Kraków.

The route traditionally showcased Poland’s tourist attractions while passing through cycling-friendly areas. The race started in Wrocław, a city famous for its cycling traditions, where many future champions were trained at the Dolmel club. The fourth stage, ending in Prudnik, was dedicated to Stanisław Szozda, a remarkable Polish cyclist.

A History Written in Yellow Letters

As usual, there was no shortage of excitement on the course. The major discovery of the 81st Tour de Pologne was Thibau Nys, who won three stages, dominating in challenging terrain. “If you had told me five years ago that I would be winning road races, I would have looked at you with pity,” said the Belgian, who successfully combines road racing with cyclocross.

The other star of the race was Jonas Vingegaard, a two-time Tour de France winner, who recorded his first UCI World Tour victory during the Tour de Pologne. The world-class athlete returned to Poland to win the ORLEN general classification. “In 2019, I wasn’t a favorite, but I attacked and fulfilled a dream. Poland, that stage, and the entire Tour de Pologne will always be special to me,” recalled the Dane. “I hope I can fight for the general classification victory here,” he added.

As he said, so he did, and the yellow winner’s jersey of the Tour de Pologne now hangs in his home alongside those from the Tour de France. “At the start in Wrocław, Jonas Vingegaard told me words that touched my heart. He said that for some time, he had very much wanted to return to Poland, as this is a great race that opened his path to top-level cycling. And things like this make all the challenges of organizing the Tour de Pologne worthwhile,” said race director Czesław Lang.

Great Return

Jonas Vingegaard isn’t the only one who likes to return to the Tour de Pologne. Tim Wellens, who won the overall victory in 2016, also has very fond memories of the Polish race. This season, he didn’t repeat that success, but he did win the individual time trial that ended in Orlinek in Karpacz. “I have always enjoyed coming to the Tour de Pologne. The race is excellently organized, we’re welcomed everywhere with smiles and enthusiastic support. Even the weather this year is fantastic,” commented the Belgian, recalling the rainy Tour de Pologne of 2016.

The sprinters also had their chances. Olav Kooij was the fastest twice — winning stages in previous editions of the Tour de Pologne and the ORLEN Nations Grand Prix — and Tim Merlier triumphed once, also achieving victories on Polish roads.

Active Poles

Polish riders traditionally rode actively in the Tour de Pologne, mainly seeking their chances in breakaways. They fought bravely in intermediate sprints and mountain primes, resulting in wins in the classification for the LOTTO most active rider and the PZU best climber. The jerseys went to Polish champion Norbert Banaszek and Michał Paluta, who both fulfilled their cycling dreams.