Amidst crowds of enthusiastic fans, with cheers and applause echoing, the second edition of the Tour de Pologne Women started. After the individual time trial in Lublin, Stina Kagevi became the leader of the ORLEN general classification, with Zuzanna Chylińska, the top Polish rider, securing fifth place. “I completely didn’t expect to win,” said today’s triumphant Stina Kagevi.
The evening’s individual time trial, held in the heart of Lublin, kicked off the 2nd edition of the Tour de Pologne Women – a prestigious race included in the Union Cyciste Internationale calendar for elite female riders. Reactivated after eight years, the event attracted many teams to the start line, including three Polish squads.
Many riders were tipped as favorites for high positions, but the short 4.5-kilometer route near Litewski Square favoured to surprises. Stina Kagevi, from the continental Team Coop – Repsol, seized the opportunity, completing the dynamic section in 5 minutes and 41 seconds. As nearly 100 riders crossed the finish line, it became clear that the Swedish cyclist had posted the best time, marking her first victory at this level.
“This is an extraordinary day for me because I didn’t expect to win at all. Especially since this is my first win in a race of this caliber. Waiting for the result was definitely harder for me than the ride itself – during the ride, I know everything depends on me, but waiting, I have no control over anything,” said the winner of the individual time trial.
In time trial stages, the outcome rests solely on the riders’ legs – each rider is on their own and, unlike in mass start races, cannot rely on help from teammates. Today, the legs of the talented, barely 19-year-old Stina Kagevi performed excellently, what was confirmed by her best time.
Thanks to today’s victory, the Swede became the first leader of the ORLEN general classification and wore the distinctive yellow jersey on the podium. She will wear it for tomorrow’s stage from Krasnystaw to Kraśnik, powiat kraśnicki. The time trial in Lublin saw Nordic riders dominate, with Finland’s Wilma Aintila from Lotto Dstny Ladies and Denmark’s Christina Bragh Lorenzen finishing just 1 and 2 seconds behind the winner.
The competition was tight, as reflected in the results of other riders. In 5th place, just 3 seconds behind Stina Kagevi, was the top Polish rider, Zuzanna Chylińska from TKK Pacific Nestle Fitness, who recently claimed the Polish National Champion title in under-23 category.
“I was ready for this hot weather, so I could give it my all on the course. Today’s course was perfect for me—a slight uphill at the start allowed me to push hard from the beginning, and after the turnaround, I could speed downhill to the finish line. My coach, Leszek Szyszkowski, was guiding me through the whole time, and thanks to his instructions, I knew which direction to take because he was advising me clearly through the earpiece,” Zuzanna Chylińska described the short but intense stage.
Cyclists from MAT ATOM Developer Wrocław—Katarzyna Wilkos, Olga Wankiewicz, and Malwina Mul—also showcased their strengths in the opening stage of the Tour de Pologne Women, finishing 8th to 10th. As we look ahead to tomorrow’s stage, the race remains wide open, with many riders eager for a comeback, making the competition on the challenging, hilly course from Krasnystaw to Kraśnik, powiat kraśnicki well worth following.
Route of the 2. Tour de Pologne Women, 28-30.06.2024:
- STAGE 1: 28.06.2024, Lublin – Lublin (Individual Time Trial), 4.5 km
- STAGE 2: 29.06.2024, Krasnystaw – Kraśnik, Kraśnicki County, 136 km
- STAGE 3: 30.06.2024, Arche Nałęczów – Kazimierz Dolny, 103 km
More information about the race at: www.tourdepolognewomen.pl
