News
Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team Ready to Stage Hunt at Tour de Pologne
The 81st edition of the Tour de Pologne, taking place from August 12-18, 2024, promises to be an exhilarating battle through the heart of central Europe.
For the second year in a row, the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team heads to Poland to compete in this WorldTour stage race with strong ambitions.
9 August 2024.
The seven-rider squad will be led by Brit Mark Donovan, who will target stage wins while also aiming to stay in contention for a good placing in the GC from the onset. Experienced Italian Gianluca Brambilla will serve as the team captain, while local talent Szymon Sajnok will aim to surprise in the sprint stages. Completing the versatile and multicultural team are Basque rider Xabier Mikel Azparren, Ethiopian National Champion Negasi Haylu Abreha, Norwegian Carl Fredrik Hagen, and former American National Champion Joey Rosskopf.
“We’re very motivated for the upcoming Tour de Pologne! We’ll be focusing primarily on stage hunting but will keep Mark Donovan as an option for the General Classification. The course will have a bit of everything, with three sprint stages, three mountain stages, and one time trial, and we have several cards to play. Szymon Sajnok knows the potential sprint stages very well and will be supported in the leadouts by Joey Rosskopf and Xabier Mikel Azparren. Xabier will also have his eyes set on breakaway opportunities after Stage 2 and will look to perform well in the time trial,” said Piotr Wadecki, Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team Sports Director.
“We’re looking forward to an exciting week in Poland”
“Gianluca Brambilla will be our road captain. He is coming back into form after a short break and has already shown good signs in the Arctic Race of Norway. Negasi Haylu Abreha will provide valuable support across all terrains, while Carl Fredrik Hagen will test himself in the hilly stages that suit him. We’re looking forward to an exciting week in Poland and will race aggressively to fight for a top result,” Wadecki concluded.
"One of my biggest goals for the race is to fight for a stage win from the breakaway"
Xabier Mikel Azparren, who will be making his Tour de Pologne debut, is hopeful for good legs and has his eyes set on a breakaway triumph.
“It’s my first time racing the Tour de Pologne, but I’ve raced in Poland as a junior before and really enjoy the country and the people, so I’m really looking forward to the race. The time trial looks tough—it’s a 25-minute effort on a very physical and hilly course, but I will give my best. The third stage looks like the first good chance for a breakaway, which will be one of my biggest goals for the race—to fight for a stage win from the breakaway,” said Azparren.
Szymon Sajnok, racing at home, is ready for his third Tour de Pologne, where he has previously finished in the top 10 on multiple stages:
“It’s always amazing to race in front of your home crowd, so I’m super happy to represent Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team in this Tour de Pologne. Personally, I’m focused on Stages 4 and 5, but also the final stage, where I think I can play my own chances,” said Sajnok.
A Diverse and Exciting Course
As the only WorldTour stage race in the region and Poland’s premier cycling event, the Tour de Pologne is a week-long challenge where every second counts. With its blend of flat sprints and punishing hills, the race is often decided by the narrowest of margins, making bonus seconds crucial.
This year’s race kicks off with one of the toughest opening sequences in recent memory. The first three days will see riders tackle the rugged terrain of Lower Silesia, including a hilly time trial on Day 2 that is sure to play a pivotal role in the general classification.
Stage 1 sets the tone on August 12 with a demanding route from Wrocław to Karpacz, featuring two categorized climbs and a challenging uphill finish. It’s a stage designed to shake up the peloton early on.
Stage 2 follows with a 15-kilometer time trial starting in Mysłakowice, where riders will face a flat section before a grueling climb up Orlinek. This stage is crucial for the GC contenders, offering a chance to create significant gaps.
Stage 3, a 156.6km hilly course starting at the Old Mine in Wałbrzych, will put the punchers and climbers in the spotlight with four categorized climbs and relentless undulations. Expect an aggressive race for the stage win.
Stage 4, from Park Zdrojowy in Kudowa-Zdrój to Prudnik, offers a flatter profile, setting the stage for a likely bunch sprint finish. However, the following 187-kilometer Stage 5 will challenge the riders with over 1500 meters of elevation gain, making it an unpredictable day where breakaways, sprinters, and puncheurs could all have a shot.
The queen stage on the penultimate day is the ultimate test. Covering 183 kilometers through the climbs of Małopolska, starting in Wadowice, the riders will face over 3300 meters of climbing before the punishing uphill finish in Bukovina. This stage is expected to be the decisive moment for the overall classification.
The race concludes on August 18 with the traditional sprint stage in Kraków Błonia, where the fast men of the peloton will have one last chance to shine.
Tour de Pologne – Line-up:
Negasi Haylu Abreha (ETH)
Xabier Mikel Azparren (ESP)
Gianluca Brambilla (ITA)
Mark Donovan (GBR)
Carl Fredrik Hagen (NOR)
Szymon Sajnok (POL)
Joey Rosskopf (USA)
Latest News
