Top International Contenders Share Emotions and Expectations at Team Presentation Ahead of the 82nd Tour de Pologne
Wrocław, August 3, 2025 – With the historic Centennial Hall as the backdrop, the official team presentation of the 82nd Tour de Pologne took place today, drawing crowds of enthusiastic fans and spotlighting some of the top international contenders for the ORLEN general classification title. Among the riders who addressed the media and supporters were Paul Magnier, Elia Viviani, Pello Bilbao, and Olav Kooij — each bringing their own unique perspective and ambitions for the upcoming week of racing across Poland.
Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step): “I’m ready to give it my all”
The young Frenchman Paul Magnier, a rising star and one of the promising sprinters to watch, expressed his excitement about returning to Poland:
“I’m happy to be back at the Tour de Pologne. This is my second time here, and I’ve also raced in the ORLEN Nations Grand Prix, so I have fond memories of Poland. I’m looking forward to competing against some of the best sprinters. Every race is a chance to learn, grow, and see where I stand. It’ll be tough, but I’m ready to give it my all and enjoy every kilometer. The landscapes are stunning, and the atmosphere is special. I know there will be some iconic stages again this year — perfect for pushing my limits.”
Elia Viviani: “It’s time to sprint”
Italian speedster Elia Viviani (INEOS Grenadiers) is also targeting sprint stages, and the Tour de Pologne marks a key objective for the second half of his season:
“I’m feeling good. I just finished an altitude training camp, so this race is the right opportunity to see if it paid off. This is my main goal for the second part of the season. I trained for three weeks, and now it’s time to sprint. There aren’t many chances this week, so we need to be ready from tomorrow and especially for stage four. We have a strong team, the lead-out train is ready, so we’re looking forward to the first stage and trying to win it.”
Pello Bilbao: “A very intense race ahead”
Veteran climber Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious), who has podiumed in Poland before, sees this year’s route as one of the most demanding editions yet:
“I think this is my fourth Tour de Pologne. I always have good memories in Poland — I enjoy races like this, where everything is very open. From the start, it’s hard to know who the big favorite might be. I have a great memory from three years ago, when I came here without big expectations and ended up finishing third on the podium. I’d like to try again. The route seems slightly tougher than in previous editions, especially in the final part, where we’ll face over three thousand meters of climbing and narrow roads… It looks like it’s going to be a very intense race.”
Olav Kooij: “Several opportunities — and I’ll fight for each”
Dutch sprinter Olav Kooij (Visma | Lease a Bike), a past stage winner in Poland, also sees key chances ahead — despite the difficulty of the route:
“Every year brings new challenges. Thinking back to the edition I won, this one looks particularly demanding. The route is tough, but there are several opportunities for both me and the team, so we’ll try to give our best every day. Tomorrow’s stage could already be a chance for me to play my cards. Even stage four, which doesn’t look easy on paper, might still end in a sprint — and if it does, I could have a good shot.”
With excitement building, the peloton will roll out tomorrow, August 4, from Wrocław, heading toward a challenging and scenic week that will end in Bukowina Tatrzańska on August 10, following a decisive time trial in Wieliczka. Fans in Poland and beyond can expect world-class racing, unpredictable moments, and fierce battles for every second in the general classification.