Ambitious and Fighting Spirit from the Polish National Team. The Goal: LOTTO and PZU Jerseys

The performance of the Polish national team in the opening two stages of the 82nd Tour de Pologne has been nothing short of impressive. Patryk Stosz and Tomasz Budziński were particularly active and started stage 3 wearing the jerseys for the LOTTO Most Active Rider and the PZU Best Climber classifications. “Our pre-stage objectives were achieved” said national team coach Andrzej Sypytkowski.

From the very start of the 82nd Tour de Pologne UCI WorldTour, the white-and-red jerseys of the Polish national team have been clearly visible in the race. On the opening day, Patryk Stosz rode aggressively, joining the breakaway and collecting points on the LOTTO Intermediate Sprints. He finished Stage 1 in second place in the LOTTO Most Active Rider classification and fourth in the ORLEN General Classification.

The situation changed on Stage 2, which led from the Hotel Gołębiewski Karpacz to the iconic Orlinek climb. Stosz and Budziński, along with two riders from UCI WorldTeams, formed a four-man breakaway. The two Poles – teammates at the continental team Voster ATS Team – worked well together and battled for points on the designated climbs and sprints. Tomasz Budziński scored 18 points on the PZU Mountain Primes, while Patryk Stosz won both LOTTO Sprint Primes. As a result, both started today’s stage in distinctive leader jerseys. “They came into this race very well-prepared, they’re fearless and taking their chances” commented Czesław Lang, General Director of the 82nd Tour de Pologne, after Stage 1.

On the climb up to Orlinek, Piotr Pękala – who rides for ATT Investments – was the top finisher among the Polish national team, crossing the line in the third group, just over 20 seconds behind stage winner Paul Lapeira (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale).

“The goals we set at the beginning – to fight for the active rider and mountain jerseys – have been met. We’re leading in two classifications and also fighting for a top-10 finish in the general classification. It won’t be easy, but we’ll keep trying and hopefully succeed” said national coach Andrzej Sypytkowski after the stage.

“I was surprised we broke away from the peloton so quickly, but staying at the front and winning those points wasn’t easy. We worked well together almost until the very end, and Patryk and I won two jerseys, so we’re very happy. I’d love to keep the KOM jersey until the time trial” said Tomasz Budziński.

“My goal for the Tour de Pologne is the blue jersey. I was already in the break yesterday, fighting for sprint points. Today, Tom and I broke away again, and I managed to win two sprints and take the jersey. Unfortunately, a mechanical issue forced me out of the front group, but I’m really happy we’re leading two classifications” added Patryk Stosz.

During today’s stage, which both starts and finishes in Wałbrzych, the Polish national team continues to race actively. Mateusz Gajdulewicz (Mazowsze Serce Polski) is in a large breakaway and has already scored points on the LOTTO Sprint and PZU Mountain Primes.

The 82nd Tour de Pologne UCI WorldTour is broadcast on TVP, Eurosport, and HBO Max.