Human Powered Health Cycling heads to Poland to compete in the three-day Tour de Pologne Women from July 24 through 26.
The Tour de Pologne is a race well suited to sprinters, offering plenty of opportunities for the fast finishers. However, with a sting in the tail on the Stage 3 finale, the battle for the overall classification is likely to go down to the wire.
The team returns with fond memories of success in 2025, with Kathrin Schweinberger‘s consistency earning her a third-place finish in the overall general classification.
Marta Jaskulska and Wiktoria Pikulik head up the team in their home race, with Schweinberger returning to Poland and being joined for the sprints by Canadian champion Maggie Coles-Lyster. They are backed up on the road by Jente Koops and Silvia Zanardi.
Tour de Pologne Women Stage by Stage
7/24
Stage 1
Route: Tomaszów Lubelski – Zamość
Distance: 141.8 km
Parcours: Rolling
Look out for: A roundabout with 500 meters to go before the final fight for the line
What matters: The more the merrier in a finish like this, having a full lead out will be key
Stage 1 of the race is the longest of the weekend and has the most elevation with 1,080 meters of climbing. However, it should still end in a sprint, even with four short climbs on the route. Each a kilometer in length, they will be raced hard, but over 30 kilometers of flat from the top of the last hill will set it up for the bunch sprint.
7/25
Stage 2
Route: Włodawa – Lubartów
Distance: 118.1 km
Parcours: Flat
Look out for: A small drag inside the finale that could stretch the peloton
What matters: Navigating twists and turns in Lubartów to be well placed for the sprint
In comparison to the opening day, stage 2 is pan flat. A slight uphill drag outside Lubartów is a trigger point, but after that, it’s a speedy run to the line. Whether using your own lead-out or freelancing off of others, the sprint will have to be well timed.
7/26
Stage 3
Route: Janowiec – Lublin
Distance: 101.4 km
Parcours: Flat
Look out for: A 400 meter stretch at 4% inside the final kilometer
What matters: Storming up the short rise with enough power for the subsequent sprint
The final GC comes down to the sprint to Lublin. With time bonuses on the route each day, these will be hotly contested and will have a huge impact on the final leader, this will be no different on the last day. Some rolling terrain takes the peloton into Lublin where a short uphill stretch delivers the peloton to the final sprint. This will suit the powerful sprinters, before a tight righthander delivers them to the final stretch of 200 meters.
How to watch
USA
FloBikes
Stage 1 & 2 from 8:30 am EDT / 7:30 am CDT / 6:30 am MDT / 5:30 am PDT
Stage 3 from 8:15 am EDT / 7:15 am CDT / 6:15 am MDT / 5:15 am PDT
Europe
Eurosport/Discovery+/HBO Max (territory dependent)
Stage 1 & 2 from 14:30 CET
Stage 3 from 14:15 CET
UK
HBO Max/TNT Sports
Stage 1 & 2 from 13:30 BST
Stage 3 from 13:15 BST
Times correct as of the date of publication
What our athletes think
Marta Jaskulska
I’m really excited! It’s one of my favorite races. I always enjoy racing on Polish roads, and it’s such a great feeling to hear my native language everywhere around. From my point of view, I think all three stages can finish with a bunch sprint, maybe with some chances for a different type of sprint on the dragging finishes, but all will probably come down to the peloton racing.
Wiktoria Pikulik
I’m very excited to be competing in the TDP. It’s a great feeling to race on my own roads and see my family and friends. I think the route is made for fast riders. Even when it’s a little hill finish, it will still be super fast. And of course, my dog (who is named from the Polish word for potato) will be at race.
Photos: GettySport, Human Powered Health, Tour de Pologne
