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The 83rd Tour de Pologne UCI WorldTour Begins! Stage 1 Leads from Gdynia to Koszalin

GDYNIA, August 3 – Today in coastal Gdynia, the opening chapter of the 83rd edition of the Tour de Pologne UCI WorldTour is being written. Pacing under the slogan “North-South,” this year’s race sets off from the Polish coast, coinciding in a special way with the celebrations of the city’s 100th anniversary. Port of Gdynia S.A. has joined as the Official Start Partner for Stage 1.

A Spectacular Team Presentation Aboard ORP “Błyskawica” Behind Us

The cycling celebration in Gdynia kicked off yesterday. On board the legendary museum-ship ORP “Błyskawica,” anchored at the Gdynia waterfront near the Port of Gdynia, an official presentation of the UCI WorldTour teams and world-class riders took place. The afternoon ceremony attracted numerous fans, opening the official event program in a uniquely maritime setting.

blankA Long and Demanding Route Through Pomerania and Kashubia: 234 km of Excitement

Today, setting off from Skwer Kościuszki, the colorful peloton embarks on the routes of the first stage, which is also the longest section of the entire 83rd Tour de Pologne. The riders face a 234-kilometer challenge leading through the picturesque, yet exceptionally demanding and rolling roads of Pomerania and Kashubia.

Along the route from Gdynia to Koszalin, numerous key points have been designated where riders will battle for the first points and time bonuses for the race classifications:

  • 3 LOTTO Intermediate Sprints: in Kartuzy, Bytów, and Polanów,
  • 3 Special Sprints: in Parchowo, Kołczygłowy (Czesław Lang Special Sprint), and Kępice (Starost of Słupsk Special Sprint),
  • PZU Category 3 Mountain Prime: at Góra Chełmska.

A key moment of the stage may well prove to be the climb up Góra Chełmska – positioned just 6 kilometers before the finish line. It is there that the battle for the first jersey of the PZU Mountain Classification leader will be decided, and the sharp climb right before the run-in could heavily disrupt the lead group.

The finish of Stage 1 is in Koszalin, where the race returns after a very long hiatus. The last time a Tour de Pologne stage ended in this city was in 2002, when Estonian rider Andrus Aug claimed victory. Given the long and demanding route alongside the terrain, an unpredictable and thrilling finish is expected after years away from Koszalin. The stage winner will also don the first leader’s jersey of the ORLEN General Classification.

A Sentimental Return to Roots for Czesław Lang

For the General Director of the race, the opening of the 83rd Tour de Pologne carries a deep personal and emotional significance.

“The route of this first stage is particularly close to my heart because the peloton will visit the places where I come from and where I took my very first pedal strokes. Returning to Kashubia and the Bytów region is a unique, emotional journey back to my roots. That is where my passion for cycling began. I am thrilled that today we can showcase these beautiful cycling landscapes to the whole world,” emphasizes Czesław Lang, General Director of the Tour de Pologne.

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Port and Cycling – Precision, Pace, and Purpose

The involvement of Port of Gdynia as the Start Partner highlights the strong link between a dynamically developing port and a world-class sporting event.

“We have much more in common than it might seem at first glance. Fighting on the Tour de Pologne route requires the exact same elements as running a smooth port operation: pace, endurance, precision, and a clearly defined, consistently pursued goal. We proudly welcome the world’s top cyclists to Gdynia. It is a great joy for us that the race sets off right here, allowing us to present to millions of viewers the energy and potential of the Port of Gdynia, which continuously drives the development of the entire region,” notes Piotr Gorzeński, President of the Management Board of Port of Gdynia S.A.

The Port of Gdynia is one of the leading ports in the southern Baltic region. It specializes in handling general cargo as well as bulk cargo through specialized terminals. Through its partnership with the race organized by Lang Team, Port of Gdynia actively contributes to promoting Poland across the globe.

The “North-South” Route: Over 1,100 km of Racing

This year’s Tour de Pologne features over 1,100 kilometers of routes divided into 7 challenging stages. The peloton will race from coastal Gdynia, through West Pomerania, the Lubusz region, Lower Silesia, and Lesser Poland. On route, riders face flat finishes tailored for sprinters, the iconic climb to Orlinek in Karpacz, a mountain triptych finishing at Kocierz Resort and Bukowina Tatrzańska, and a final individual time trial at the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine.

International Broadcast to 65 Countries

Fans can follow the riders’ action live across all 7 stages on Telewizja Polska, Eurosport, and the HBO Max streaming platform. Thanks to this extensive coverage, race broadcasts will reach fans in 65 countries worldwide, combining top-tier sporting rivalry with the promotion of Poland’s most beautiful regions.