Last night, fans filled the square in front of the iconic Centennial Hall for the official presentation of the teams and riders of the 82nd Tour de Pologne UCI WorldTour. This event marked the opening ceremony of Poland's premier cycling event, with riders preparing to compete in seven challenging stages for the coveted yellow jersey.

As tradition dictates, the presentation was held on the eve of the opening stage. The spectacular Centennial Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage site designed by Max Berg, provided a stunning backdrop. A large crowd welcomed the 23 teams and their riders as they were introduced: the loudest applause was reserved for Polish stars Rafał Majka (UAE Team Emirates–XRG), who recently announced that 2025 will be his final season, and Michał Kwiatkowski (INEOS Grenadiers) returning from an injury.

"I want to end my career at the top, feeling strong and still enjoying myself - said Majka -. I just finished 12 days of mountain training and I'm in good shape. The Tour de Pologne is special to me. I won it in 2014 and now we're returning to Bukowina. I want to feel that atmosphere again".

"There's a real sense of relief in being back - added Kwiatkowski -. After being out for four and a half months and having done very little preparation, I'm happy to have completed my first race on Saturday in San Sebastián".

A course for everyone, but not an easy one
Several international stars took the stage, and many are already aiming for stage victories, especially in the opening stage from Wrocław to Legnica, one of the few clear opportunities for sprinters.

"Every edition brings new challenges - declared Olav Kooij (Team Visma | Lease a Bike), who is favored for the first stage -. This year's course seems particularly challenging, but we have opportunities. The first stage could be one of them, and the fourth could end in a sprint if things go well".

Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) shared his excitement: "This is my second time at the Tour de Pologne and I've also raced the ORLEN Nations Grand Prix. I have beautiful memories of this country. The stages are tough but beautiful and the atmosphere is special. I'm ready to give my all and enjoy every kilometer".

Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious), one of the main contenders for the general classification, emphasized the course's difficulties: "This is my fourth Tour de Pologne and I always leave with great memories. I love these open races where the result is hard to predict. I finished third some years ago when I had few expectations and I'd like to try again. The course seems harder this time, especially the final stages with over 3,000 meters of elevation and narrow roads. It will be challenging".

"We organize this race for the fans - stressed race director Czesław Lang - it was a beautiful presentation and I'm excited to see so many people here in front of the Centennial Hall. We organize this race for the fans, and I hope to see great attendance throughout the week. With seven different stages, the overall winner will have to be the strongest and most complete rider".

The 82nd edition of the Tour de Pologne UCI WorldTour takes place from August 4th to 10th, with a route extending from Wrocław to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The race will be broadcast on TVP, Eurosport, and the MAX streaming platform, reaching viewers in over 65 countries.

THE PARTICIPANTS

Team Visma | Lease a Bike
1. BEHRENS Niklas
2. KOOIJ Olav
3. HUISING Menno
4. MCLAY Daniel
5. VALTER Attila
6. BRENNAN Matthew
7. KRUIJSWIJK Steven

Alpecin - Deceuninck
11. BOVEN Lars
12. HERMANS Quinten
13. KIELICH Timo
14. PLOWRIGHT Jensen
15. VAN DEN BOSSCHE Fabio
16. VAN TRICHT Stan
17. GAZE Samuel

Arkéa - B&B Hotels
21. EPIS Giosuè
22. GRONDIN Donavan
23. SCOTSON Miles
24. SÉNÉCHAL Florian
25. SVESTAD-BÅRDSENG Embret
26. THIERRY Pierre
27. VERRE Alessandro

Bahrain - Victorious
31. BILBAO Pello
32. ERMAKOV Roman
33. HAIG Jack
34. MIHOLJEVIĆ Fran
35. TIBERI Antonio
36. VAN MECHELEN Vlad
37. ZAMBANINI Edoardo

Cofidis
41. ANIOŁKOWSKI Stanisław
42. ALLEGAERT Piet
43. MAHOUDO Nolann
44. MAAS Jan
45. OURSELIN Paul
46. PEREZ Anthony
47. DE GENDT Aimé

Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team
51. BENNETT Sam
52. CHAMBERLAIN Oscar
53. DEWULF Stan
54. GODON Dorian
55. LAPEIRA Paul
56. PEDERSEN Rasmus Søjberg
57. STAUNE-MITTET Johannes

EF Education - EasyPost
61. DOULL Owain
62. WALKER Max
63. VAN DEN BERG Marijn
64. HONORÉ Mikkel Frølich
65. RAFFERTY Darren
66. MIHKELS Madis
67. SIMMONS Colby

Groupama - FDJ
71. CAVAGNA Rémi
72. DAVY Clément
73. GRUEL Thibaud
74. JACOBS Johan
75. KÜNG Stefan
76. MOLARD Rudy
77. PALENI Enzo

INEOS Grenadiers
81. HAMILTON Lucas
82. JUNGELS Bob
83. KWIATKOWSKI Michał
84. LANGELLOTTI Victor
85. LEONARD Michael
86. SHEFFIELD Magnus
87. TURNER Ben

Intermarché - Wanty
91. ARTZ Huub
92. BONNEU Kamiel
93. BUSATTO Francesco
94. KAMP Alexander
95. PAQUOT Tom
96. THIJSSEN Gerben
97. VAN HOECKE Gijs

Lidl - Trek
101. BAGIOLI Andrea
102. KIRSCH Alex
103. MOLLEMA Bauke
104. MOSCA Jacopo
105. OOMEN Sam
106. TEUTENBERG Tim Torn
107. VACEK Mathias

Movistar Team
111. CIMOLAI Davide
112. FORMOLO Davide
113. GAVIRIA Fernando
114. MILESI Lorenzo
115. MORO Manlio
116. SERRANO Gonzalo
117. TESFATSION Natnael

Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe
121. FISHER-BLACK Finn
122. KOCH Jonas
123. MACIEJUK Filip
124. MARTÍNEZ Daniel Felipe
125. SOBRERO Matteo
126. VAN DIJKE Tim
127. VAN GILS Maxim

Soudal Quick-Step
131. BASTIAENS Ayco
132. HAYTER Ethan
133. MAGNIER Paul
134. PEDERSEN Casper
135. RACCAGNI NOVIERO Andrea
136. REINDERINK Pepijn
137. SVRČEK Martin

Lotto
141. BEULLENS Cedric
142. CRAPS Lars
144. DE BUYST Jasper
145. LIVYNS Arjen
146. TAMINIAUX Lionel
147. THOMPSON Reuben
148. VIVIANI Elia

Team Jayco AlUla
151. BOUWMAN Koen
152. GAMPER Patrick
153. ZANA Filippo
154. DE MARCHI Alessandro
155. JUUL-JENSEN Christopher
156. O'BRIEN Kelland
157. SÜTTERLIN Jasha

Team Picnic PostNL
161. EDDY Patrick
162. HAMILTON Chris
163. LEEMREIZE Gijs
164. MARTINEZ Juan Guillermo
165. POOLE Max
166. ROOSEN Timo
167. VAN UDEN Casper

UAE Team Emirates - XRG
171. BARONCINI Filippo
172. CHRISTEN Jan
173. JOHANSEN Julius
174. LAENGEN Vegard Stake
175. MAJKA Rafał
176. MCNULTY Brandon
177. VERMEERSCH Florian

XDS Astana Team
181. BETTIOL Alberto
182. GAZZOLI Michele
183. KANTER Max
184. SCHELLING Ide
185. ROMELE Alessandro
186. ULISSI Diego
187. VINOKUROV Nicolas

Israel - Premier Tech
191. BENNETT George
192. CÔTÉ Pier-André
193. FRIGO Marco
194. FROOME Chris
195. RAISBERG Nadav
196. RICCITELLO Matthew
197. VERNON Ethan

Tudor Pro Cycling Team
201. DE KLEIJN Arvid
202. KOLZE CHANGIZI Sebastian
203. WILKSCH Hannes
204. KLUCKERS Arthur
205. WIRTGEN Luc
206. VOISARD Yannis
207. ZIJLAARD Maikel