Human Powered Health Cycling heads to Poland for the exhilarating three-day Tour de Pologne Women from August 12 through 14.
With a course tailor-made for sprinters, this UCI 2.1 stage race promises fireworks across the flatlands with just enough late-stage drama to keep things thrilling.
Wiktoria Pikulik will guide the team on home roads. She’s joined by Austrian national champion Kathrin Schweinberger, Silvia Zanardi and Yurani Blanco.
Unfortunately, Daria Pikulik suffered a crash in training ahead of the race and will skip the Tour out of precaution.
How to watch
USA
Max with via the B/R Sports Add-On from 8 am ET / 7 am CT / 6 am MT / 5 am PT
UK
TNT Sports/Discovery+ from 13:00 BST
Europe
Eurosport/Discovery+ 14:00 CET
Our team lines up at the women’s race for the first time and will count on Olympian Wiktoria Pikulik to guide them through the stage finales.
“This will be my first race in Poland with the team. I want to give my best for my team, and I believe that we can win this race,” says Wiktoria. “I think it’s super nice to have a UCI race like this in Poland, and it shows that women’s cycling in Poland is growing.”
Pikulik will also count on personal support.
“My family and friends will be there, so that will give me extra power,” says Pikulik. Daria and I raced in this part of Poland a few years ago, and now it will feel extra special.”
Joining her is newly minted Austrian national champion Kathrin Schweinberger, who will be resplendent in her custom Pactimo Flyte jersey.
“I try to enjoy this jersey now,” Schweinberger explains. “I try to honour it and show my country in these international races, but I need to enjoy every day in it, so it gives me a positive feeling. Every day I can wear it, I’m happy, and I’m always looking forward to racing in it.”
Schweinberger makes up a two-pronged sprint attack with Silvia Zanardi.
“The team are motivated, but of course it’s a shame to not have Daria,” she explains. “But, for me, I want to try my best in the sprint and be active in the race.”
There are plenty of opportunities each day on a route that should suit sprinters, but with a sting in the tail of each stage finale, anything could happen.
“You never know what’s going to happen, and I’ve come back from a training block at altitude, so now I’m looking forward to racing again because I always prefer it to training,” she laughs. “Three stages that are similar, so every day there’s a chance for the team, and together with Silvia, Wiktoria and Yurani, we are a small team, but we have a good mix of riders.”
Tour of Poland Stage by Stage
8/12 Stage 1 | Zamosc – Zamosc (105.7 km) Flat
Stage 1 sets the pace for the three days. Just over a ton of racing, as the peloton winds its way around Zamosc. The city is steeped in history and known as the Pearl of the Renaissance due to its architecture. The city center is even a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There won’t be much time to dwell on that, though – stage 1 is primed for a bunch sprint up the final straight drag.
8/13 Stage 2 | Chelm – Chelm (100 km) Flat
A largely flat day through the Polish countryside, the challenge comes right at the end of the stage. A 500-meter ramp up onto a cobbled street, the finale will suit powerhouse sprinters like Schweinberger. It’s reminiscent of the traditional Cassel stage at the 4 Jours de Dunkerque men’s race.
8/14 Stage 3 | Naleczow – Krasnik (128.2 km) Rolling
The final day is the first with some proper lumps and bumps. A rolling final 40 km may whittle down the peloton and give the sprinters something to plan around. With three bonus sprints and an intermediate sprint on the way to the drag in Krasnik, all of the competitions will go right down to the wire.
