Tour de Pologne 2020 route unveiled

The start of stage 6 of the Tour de Pologne

(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Tour de Pologne organisers have unveiled the route of the 77th edition of the WorldTour race. The race will run between August 5-9, marking the return to stage racing on the highest level after five-month break forced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Tour of Poland saw its program cut by two days to accommodate a revised calendar put forward by the International Cycling Union. Of the five remaining stages, three should accommodate the needs of sprinters and two will allow puncheurs and climbers to test their legs after months without racing. Those seeking to get back in the rhythm will have 891 kilometres to do so in what will be the first stage race held under the new atmosphere of medical checks and sanitary measures.

The race will start exactly one year after the death of Bjorg Lambrecht, a talented Belgian who crashed on stage 3 of the 2019 edition and died as a result of his injuries. During the official presentation, the organisers confirmed that the race’s young riders classification will bear his name and number 143 will be retired for all future editions. The race will also hold a minute of silence in memory of the former Lotto Soudal rider before the racing begins.

With likes of John Degenkolb and Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo), Dylan Groenewegen (Jumbo-Visma) and Pascal Ackermann (Bora-Hansgrohe) in the mix, there will be plenty of teams to keep the field under control and ensure a bunch sprint. The fastest riders will have their say the following day, albeit stage 2 presents a slightly more demanding challenge with a few smaller climbs on the way to Zabrze.

The following day it’s a climbing spree: the race heads to Podhale region and tackles a well-known loop in Bukowina, against the backdrop of the Tatra mountains. It may be shorter than in the previous years but its profile remains jagged with short and steep climbs on narrow country roads. The 48.5km circuit is marked climbs at Rzepiska (2 km, 6.5%), Gliczarów Górny (5.5 km, 5,6%) and an uncategorised climb of Wierch Rusiński (1.7 km, 7.2%) with virtually no flat sections in between. The race winner is likely to emerge on the final ascent into Bukowina (3 km, 4.8%), where Simon Yates and Matej Mohoric won stages after successful breakaways in the past two seasons.

Racing will conclude in Lesser Poland’s capital, Kraków. While the sprinters are most certainly the favourites to battle for the win, the first 100 kilometres presents an opportunity for racing-starved riders. The route leads north from ski resort Zakopane and is peppered by short and punchy climbs. The organizers also threw in a longer and steadier ascent onto Krowiarka Pass in the early part of the day, making sure the teams interested in the final sprint will have to invest more energy in controlling the field.

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Irish champion Sam Bennett wore a mask before the group ride — (Image credit: Getty Images)

Poland has recorded over 35,000 cases of coronavirus and nearly 1,500 deaths. The restrictions put in place in March have been first relaxed through April and even more so in May and June, however, wearing a mask is still required on public transport, in most public spaces and during interactions with people outside the household. Social distancing rules are still in place with a limit on public gatherings set at 150 people or fewer.

According to a press release of Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, from July 17th mass events may resume but only under strict social distancing rules and with quotas of 50 per cent (indoors) and 25 per cent (outdoors) of seats available to the public. For open-air events, organisers need to ensure five square meters of space per participant, enforce 2m social distancing rule or require participants to wear masks and separate the spectators from passers-by.

Special measures will be in place in hotels and before the start, with riders awaiting in team buses and sports directors registering the start list in their stead. The presentations and podium ceremonies will be abandoned or cut to the minimum with only Lang handing out jerseys on the podium and no podium presenters. TVP Sport also reported yesterday that media access will be restricted to a select number of reporters and television workers, with organisers preparing to set up digital channels to facilitate interviews.