Over a month has passed since the conclusion of the 4th Tour de Pologne Women, a race that was held for the first time under the prestigious UCI ProSeries banner. The competition on the roads of the Lublin Voivodeship delivered great emotions, and the sprinting dominator – Lorena Wiebes – proved to be the best three times.
For the third time in a row, the world’s top women’s teams came to Poland to compete in the Tour de Pologne Women. Reactivated in 2024 by Czesław Lang and Lang Team, the race enjoys considerable interest among UCI Women’s WorldTour teams, which turned up in large numbers at the start. Furthermore, year by year, the race has advanced in the hierarchy of the Union Cycliste Internationale, ultimately achieving UCI ProSeries status.
The first stage from Tomaszów Lubelski to Zamość measured 138 kilometers and took place in hilly terrain. The competitors had to face demanding, rainy weather conditions, but from the very beginning, they showed a strong desire to compete. The stage ended in a sprint from a reduced peloton, where Lorena Wiebes of Team SD Worx-Protime was indisputably the best, taking the lead in the ORLEN General Classification. The stage podium was completed by the Dutchwoman’s teammate, Barbara Guarischi, and the Belgian Marthe Truyen from Fenix-Premier Tech.
An excellent 5th place was secured by Olga Wankiewicz of MAT ATOM Deweloper Wrocław. – I am very happy. This fifth place makes me as happy as if I had won, but it is not only my achievement but the entire team’s. We had the best lead-out train today, and all the girls performed brilliantly – it’s thanks to them that I took 5th place. Standing at the start line, we knew it would be tough to fight in such a highly competitive race; these girls will soon be riding the Tour de France, the most important race of the season. We knew that a top-ten finish would be a major success, and we fought our way to fifth place – commented the highest-placing Polish rider.
The next stage followed a flat route from Włodawa to Lubartów, and once again, a bunch sprint decided the outcome at the finish line. The fastest was Lorena Wiebes yet again, who this time defeated a strong Lara Gillespie (UAE Team ADQ) and Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek). Two Polish women finished in the top “10” – Olga Wankiewicz (MAT ATOM Deweloper Wrocław) and Kaja Rysz (Polish National Team).
On the second day of racing, Lorena Wiebes extended her lead in the ORLEN General Classification and the LOTTO Most Active Rider Classification. As it turned out later, she carried both jerseys all the way to the finish line in Lublin.
The 4th Tour de Pologne Women concluded with a dynamic stage from Janowiec to Lublin. The finish took place in the very center of the city, with the final few hundred meters heading uphill. Despite the different characteristics of the competition, Lorena Wiebes won again, claiming everything in this year’s edition of the race.
– Everything went our way. In addition to individual victories, we won the team classification, which is also a reward for the girls who worked very hard for 3 days. I am glad that we won all the stages. The race was a very nice experience, it was very well organized, and it shows that not only WorldTour events can be organized at the highest level, but also ProSeries races – summarized Lorena Wiebes.
– I am very happy because there are truly a lot of fans here. I didn’t expect so many of them to know my name. It is very nice when fans come up and ask for a photo. Add to that the crowds of fans along the route with Polish flags – it was a huge honor to race on Polish roads among Polish fans – described Marta Lach, Wiebes’s teammate.
The General Director of the race, Czesław Lang, was very pleased with the performance of the Polish women, as well as the crowds of fans along the route.
– The Tour de Pologne Women turned out very nicely for us. As many as 8 UCI Women’s WorldTour teams entered, and the rosters were very strong – featuring medalists from the World and European Championships and the Olympic Games. Each of these teams prepared well for this race. I am very happy with the performance of the Polish women; we have Olga Wankiewicz in the top “10” and I believe she has a great career ahead of her and will be able to join UCI Women’s WorldTour teams. I was very pleased with the crowds of fans at the starts, finishes, and intermediate sprints. It was just like in the men’s Tour de Pologne – there was massive interest, and we managed to do a great promotion for women’s cycling – he summarized.
The three days of racing in the 4th Tour de Pologne Women across the Lublin Voivodeship provided fans with great emotions, and one can be sure that a similar spectacle will be provided in future editions.