2022 Tour de Pologne – Overall Preview

By @EchelonsHubStage-racing at World Tour level  took only a short break, as the main teams will be back on the road in eastern Europe for the Tour de Pologne which is set to take in a heap of sprinters and classics riders looking to benefit from the favourable stages.

The Route

The opening day will be one for the sprinters, with a false-flat finale in Lublin to decide the first leader of the race.  Stage two will be a pure bunch sprint, with no gradients to bother the fast men, and the leader’s jersey to be under risk.  Stage three will be an interesting one, designed for the puncheurs. It’s a mostly pan-flat day, however with a few hills towards the end, and the finale in Przemysl will see gradients of up to 15% in the dash to the line which will make important differences and separate those who will fight for the GC win from those who won’t.  Stage four can see both attacks or a reduced sprint at the finish in Sanok, aswell as possibly benefiting a breakaway with the hilly profile. Either ways a furious finale is expected in Sanok’s narrow streets and punchy finish.  Stage five is another mixed day, without any true climb but with a lot of small and explosive hilltops. Some come early in the day which can blow up the race, but towards the end there are also several opportunities to attack en route to Rzeszow.  The traditional Zakopane stage has been replaced this year with an individual time-trial. An interesting change, this is the final and crucial stage of the race for the GC riders, as they will face a hilly uphill 12Km time-trial which will be very difficult to manage and will have no clear type of rider being the favourite.  As usual the race will then end in Krakow. Not a simple day, as it features a tough first half packed with small climbs, but as the riders reach the final city and circuit they face flat roads which should lead to a bunch sprint succeeding.  

Race Map

GC Contenders 

The overall classification will be decided across a section of hilly days, one of which will a clear hilltop finish which should make some important differences, two others which are very open but can create big gaps if there are attacking groups going up the road with the right riders. Mostly though, the final time-trial may have a very big saying, as it’s long and hard enough to create meaningful differences – which to decide the race should be in the realm of seconds here. Several climbers will take to the start, some with preparation for the Vuelta a España in mind. Richard Carapaz, Sergio Higuita, Pello Bilbao, Sam Oomen, Abner Gonzáçlez, Lucas Hamilton, Thymen Arensman and Tobias Johannessen are names to note.  As for puncheurs and time-trialists who may also be in the fight, you will see: Mauro Schmid, Samuele Battistella, Stephen Williams, Giovanni Aleotti, Simon Carr, Quentin Pacher, Magnus Sheffield, Ethan Hayter, Ben Tulett, Quinten Hermans, Diego Ulissi and Antonio Tiberi.  

The Sprinters

With a few opportunities for the fast men aswell it’s not surprise to see a top level lineup of sprinters in Poland this week, many of which returning to racing after long periods of absence. Arnaud Démare who thrived in the Giro d’Italia, Mark Cavendish and Sam Bennett looking for a motivational sign after missing the Tour de France, and the likes of Olav Kooij, Phil Bauhaus and Pascal Ackermann who should also be able to fight for wins. Elia Viviani, Ethan Hayter, Juan Sebastián Molano, Jordi Meeus, Gerben Thijssen, Simone Consonni, Jakub Mareczko, Matteo Moschetti and home rider Stanislaw Aniolkowski will all be riders to take into consideration in these days.  

Prediction Time 

⭐⭐⭐Hayter, Higuita, Arensman ⭐⭐Carapaz, Johannessen, Bilbao ⭐Tulett, Sheffield, Q.Hermans, Battistella, Schmid, Tiberi My call for the overall win will be for Ethan Hayter. The hilly stages may see big gaps, but they can also see the race quite compact if certain teams desire. INEOS have the depth, and I believe much of the GC will be decided in the time-trial, which although not ideal, will see Hayter in a favourable position alongside bonifications across the race.  Zweeler is a fantasy sports game that includes many sports and cycling is no exception. I ask that you check it out, if you register with the link below you will not only be joining an exciting game but will also be personally supporting me and my work, and allow me to make more content for you! Tomorrow’s race has prizes of at least €1500 and an entry fee of only €7. Make good use of your knowledge!https://zweeler.com/game/cycling/FantasyTourdePologne2022/main.php?ref=790 Rúben SilvaFollow us on Twitter and InstagramJoin us on facebook: Ciclismo Internacional

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