Climbers on Orlinek – Stage 2 Preview of the 82nd Tour de Pologne UCI WorldTour

After the thrilling sprint finish in Legnica, it’s time for the first mountain battle of the 82nd Tour de Pologne UCI WorldTour. Today, the riders will tackle a stage that ends in Karpacz, with the winner to be decided on the iconic Orlinek climb – a finish where legends like Alberto Contador, Matej Mohorič, and Thibau Nys have previously triumphed.

The 82nd edition of the Tour de Pologne UCI WorldTour kicked off yesterday with a flat opener from Wrocław to Legnica. It was Olav Kooij of Team Visma | Lease a Bike who came out on top, claiming his fifth Tour de Pologne stage victory and taking the first ORLEN General Classification leader’s jersey.

Defending the yellow jersey won’t be an easy task. Today’s stage leads from Hotel Gołębiewski in Karpacz to the summit of Orlinek – a demanding climb well known from previous editions of the Tour de Pologne. But before the peloton hits the slopes of this historic ascent, plenty of action awaits on the road.

Shortly after the 12:45 start, riders will tackle the first PZU Mountain Prime of the day at the Kowarska Pass. The peloton will return to this climb 75 kilometers later for another chance to score points in the PZU Best Climber Classification, currently led by Bauke Mollema of Lidl-Trek.

Along the way, two LOTTO Sprint Primes in Kamienna Góra and Czarny Bór will animate the stage. These could be crucial for Patryk Stosz (Polish National Team) and Donavan Grondin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), the current leader of the LOTTO Most Active Rider Classification. A Decathlon Special Prime in Lubawka, positioned mid-stage, also promises intense competition.

The final part of the stage is packed with climbs. After a second ascent of the Kowarska Pass, riders will take on the Średnica Pass twice – a Category 2 PZU Mountain Prime. From the summit of the final climb, only a handful of kilometers remain until the base of the decisive Orlinek. On the approach to this final challenge, the Hotel Seidorf***** Special Prime will be contested – the hotel is also a partner of Stage 2.

“Stage 2 will reveal the true form of the GC contenders aiming for overall victory in the 82nd Tour de Pologne,” says race director Czesław Lang. “It may be just 150 kilometers long, but the course is extremely demanding with its climbs. We can expect a fragmented peloton and the first real shake-up in the general classification.”

The winner of today’s stage will be crowned atop the legendary Orlinek – a climb steeped in history, known for hosting victories by stars and rising talents alike. Motivated riders will be eager to join the prestigious list of winners that includes Alberto Contador, Tim Wellens, Thibau Nys, and Matej Mohorič.

There are many favorites for today’s stage, and anyone aiming for the yellow ORLEN jersey will need to finish at the front. Polish fans will place their hopes in Rafał Majka (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Michał Kwiatkowski (INEOS Grenadiers), who always race with ambition on home soil.

Talented young riders like Matthew Brennan (Team Visma | Lease a Bike), Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek), Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), Magnus Sheffield (INEOS Grenadiers), and Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) are also ones to watch – all capable of delivering a surprise victory.

The action will be broadcast live on TVP, Eurosport, and the HBO Max streaming platform, reaching cycling fans in 65 countries around the world.