"This is the most impressive roster we've ever had. It's going to be incredible," emphasized race director Czesław Lang.
Lineup for 81st Tour de Pologne
Jonas Vingegaard, the standout competitor of 2024, has previously excelled by winning the Tour de France in 2022 and 2023.
For the first time in several years, Slovenian Matej Mohoric will defend his title from the previous season, facing tough competition from top cyclists including Tim Merlier, Cadel Evans, Mads Pedersen, Olav Kooij, Romain Bardet, Pascal Ackermann, and Tim Wellens.
Polish rider Rafał Majka, a seven-time participant in the Tour de Pologne with a win in 2014, a second-place finish in 2017, and a stage victory last year, will also be a key contender.
Tour de Pologne 2024: detailed schedule
The peloton will depart from the Centennial Hall in Wrocław on Monday, August 12. The 156-kilometer opening stage will feature intermediate sprints in Sobótka (43 km) and Czarny Bór (105 km), and mountain sprints at the Tąpadła (53 km) and Kowarska (139 km) passes.
According to Polish state news agency PAP, Belgian Thibau Nys (Lidl-Trek) won the first stage of the Tour de Pologne in Karpacz, claiming the yellow jersey. He narrowly beat Dutchman Wilco Kelderman (Visma) and British rider Lukas Nerurkar (EF Education-EasyPost) by three seconds.
Danish Tour de France runner-up Jonas Vingegaard (Visma) finished fourth, with Slovenian Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Victorious), last year's winner, just behind in fifth. Rafał Majka (UAE Team Emirates) took ninth place.
On August 13, the cyclists will tackle a time trial from Karpacz to Mysłakowice. The following day, August 14, they will race a 150-kilometer stage between Wałbrzych and Duszniki-Zdrój.
On Thursday, the fourth stage will see the riders leave Lower Silesia, heading from Kudowa-Zdrój to Prudnik.
The sixth stage, often referred to as the "Queen Stage," is expected to be the most challenging, with climbs in Gliczarów Górny, Rzepiska, and Bukowina Tatrzańska.
The race will conclude in Kraków on August 18.
Source: IAR/PAP
(m p)