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Tour de Pologne 2013 (July 27 - August 3)
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| Malkael |
Posted on 23-07-2013 13:34
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Sprinter
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UCI World Tour - Tour de Pologne
The 70th Edition of the Tour de Pologne begins for another year this forthcoming weekend, Saturday the 27th of July. The parcours features two bona fide mountain stages, two potential sprint stages, two hilly stages, and concludes with a 37km individual time trial. Traversing 1238km of Italian and Polish terrain, with two stages and 391km ridden in Trentino, Italy.
With the addition of two mountain top finishes in the infamous Dolomites, thanks to the race's grand depart in the autonomous province of Trentino, Italy. The 2013 Tour de Pologne will favour the climbers amidst the peloton. However, with the race concluding with an individual time trial, the favourites for the General Classification shall have to be strong 'stage racers', or have built a significant time advantage.
-- Race Route Preview
-- Rule Changes Preview
-- Race Favourites Preview
-- Stage 1 Preview
-- Stage 2 Preview
-- Stage 3 Preview
-- Stage 4 Preview
-- Stage 5 Preview
-- Stage 6 Preview
-- Stage 7 Preview (ITT)
Spoiler Astana Pro Team
1. Vincenzo Nibali
2. Valerio Agnoli
3. --Andriy Grivko-- Abandoned Stage 1
4. Tanel Kangert
5. Paolo Tiralongo
6. Alessandro Vanotti
Omega Pharma - Quick-step
11. Gianluca Brambilla
12. Kevin De Weert
13. Michał Gołaś
14. Serge Pauwels
15. Zdenek Stybar
16. Kristof Vandewalle
Lampre - Merida
21. Winner Andrew Anacona Gomez
22. Przemysław Niemiec
23. Michele Scarponi
24. José Rodolfo Serpa Pérez
25. Simone Stortoni
26. Diego Ulissi
Sky Pro Cycling
31. Sergio Luis Henao Montoya
32. Danny Pate
33. --Luke Rowe-- Abandoned Stage 1
34. Ben Swift
35. Rigoberto Uran Uran
36. Bradley Wiggins
BMC Racing Team
41. Mathias Frank
42. Thor Hushovd
43. Dominik Nerz
44. Taylor Phinney
45. Marco Pinotti
46. Ivan Santaromita
Team Saxo-Tinkoff
51. Bruno Pires Da Silva
52. Chris Anker Sorensen
53. Nicki Sorensen
54. Oliver Zaugg
55. Rafał Majka
56. Timothy Duggan
Cannondale Pro Cycling
61. Ivan Basso
62. Maciej Paterski
63. Daniele Ratto
64. Cristiano Salerno
65. Cayetano José Sarmiento
66. Cameron Wurf
Katusha
71. Maxim Belkov
72. Sergei Chernetski
73. Vladimir Gusev
74. Petr Ignatenko
75. Ángel Vicioso Arcos
76. Simon Spilak
Radioshack Leopard Trek
81. Fabian Cancellara
82. Ben Hermans
83. Robert Kiserlovski
84. Yaroslav Popovych
85. Thomas Rohregger
86. Jesse Sergent
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
91. Stef Clement
92. Steven Kruijswijk
93. Mark Renshaw
94. Luis Leon Sanchez
95. David Tanner
96. Robert Wagner
Garmin Sharp
101. Thomas Dekker
102. Nathan Haas
103. Alex Howes
104. Jacob Rathe
105. Johan Van Summeren
106. Steele Vanhoff
Movistar
111. Eros Capecchi
112. Ángel Madrazo Ruiz
113. Javier Moreno Bazán
114. Sylwester Szmyd
115. Francisco José Ventoso
116. Giovanni Visconti
Euskaltel - Euskadi
121. Garikoitz Bravo
122. Jon Izaguirre Insausti
123. Ricardo Mestre
124. Miguel Minguez
125. Adrián Sáez de Arregi
126. Robert Vrecer
Orica Greenedge
131. Jens Mouris
132. Mitchell Docker
133. --Luke Durbridge-- Abandoned Stage 2
134. Leigh Howard
135. Aidis Kruopis
136. Pieter Weening
Team Argos - Shimano
141. Warren Barguil
142. Reinardt Janse van Rensburg
143. Cheng Ji
144. Luka Mezgec
145. Thomas Peterson
146. Georg Preidler
Vacansoleil DCM Pro Cycling
151. Tomasz Marczyński
152. Grega Bole
153. Maurits Lammertink
154. Bert Lindeman
155. Mirko Selvaggi
156. Rafa Valls
Lotto Belisol
161. Dirk Bellemakers
162. Francis De Greef
163. Vincente Reynes
164. Tosh Van Der Sande
165. Dennis Vanendert
166. Jelle Vanendert
AG2R Le Mondiale
171. Gediminas Bagdonas
172. --Manuel Belletti-- Abandoned Stage 2
173. Yauheni Hutarovich
174. Metteo Montaguti
175. Domenico Pozzovivo
176. Christophe Riblon
FDJ
181. Sandy Cesar
182. Kenny Elissonde
183. Matthieu Ladagnuos
184. Arnaud Courteille
185. Cedric Pineau
186. Jussi Veikkanen
Team NetApp - Endura
191. Cesare Benedetti
192. Bartosz Huzarski
193. Leopold Konig
194. Andreas Schillinger
195. Daniel Schorn
196. Paul Voss
Colombia Coldeportes
201. John Darwin Atapuma Hurtado
202. Fabio Andres Duarte Arevalo
203. Leonardo Fabio Duque
204. Robinson Eduardo Chalapud Gomez
205. Carlos Julian Quintero Norena
206. Jeffry Johan Romero Corredor
CCC Polsat Polkowice
211. Davide Rebellin
212. Jacek Morajko
213. Nikolay Mihaylov
214. Bartłomiej Matysiak
215. Mateusz Taciak
216. Adrian Honkisz
Polish National Team
221. Łukasz Bodnar
222. Paweł Cieślik
223. Karol Domagalski
224. Kamil Gradek
225. --Adam Stachowiak-- Abandoned Stage 2
226. Pawel Franczak
Edited by Malkael on 03-08-2013 14:15
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| Malkael |
Posted on 23-07-2013 13:34
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Sprinter
Posts: 1697
Joined: 02-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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The focus of the UCI World Tour now changes to the week-long Tour de Pologne. The 70th edition of the Tour de Pologne will traverse 1238km of Italian and Polish terrain, with two stages and 391km ridden in Trentino, Italy. The parcours features two bona fide mountain stages, two potential sprint stages, two hilly stages, and concludes with a 37km individual time trial.
With the addition of two mountain top finishes in the infamous Dolomites, thanks to the race's grand depart in the autonomous province of Trentino, Italy. The 2013 Tour de Pologne will favour the climbers amidst the peloton. However, with the race concluding with an individual time trial, the favourites for the General Classification shall have to be strong 'stage racers', or have built a significant time advantage.
There could be fewer harder beginnings to a week-long stage race this year. As the peloton journey 184.5km from the city of Rovereto to the Ski Resort atop Category 1 Madonna di Campiglio. Along the parcours the peloton will encounter the Category 1 Fai Della Paganella, the uncategorised Passo del Ballino, and the Category 2 Passo Del Durone.
The Dolomites will present a considerable challenge, and dissimilar to the French Alps of Tour de France the climbs are not suited to tempo riding. The constantly changing gradient and rugged nature of several of the climbs will force cyclists to change their tempo, which saw some cyclists exposed during the Giro d'Italia.
The second stage of the Tour de Pologne is arguably even harder than the first, as the stage finishes not at a Ski Resort but atop the rugged beauty of the Category 1 Passo Pordoi. With the Category 1 climbs of the Passo Pampeago and Passo Costalunga preceding the summit finish, it is difficult a large peloton surviving the climbs at a high race tempo. With the Passo Pampeago arguably be the hardest climb tackled during this year's parcours.
After the travelling from Italy to Polland during scheduled rest day on Monday, the sprinters finally get a whiff of an opportunity to claim a stage victory. The third stage, 226km in length, from the city of Kraków to the city of Rzeszów favours those sprinters able to cope with the odd hill. As Stage 3 finishes with a three lap criterium, each lap some 6km in length, around the streets of Rzeszów.
The sprinters shall have to grab the two opportunities the race organisers have given them firm with both hands. As Stage 4 signals farewell of the Tour de Pologne's sprint stages, with a 231.5km stage from the historic city of Tarnów to the more modern city of Katowice. Stage 4 concludes with another criterium, with four laps of 12.3km, as the sprinters adjust to the rolling profile of the criterium finale.
The puncheurs and General Classification favourites will come to the fore for Stage 5 and 6, as the Tour de Pologne once again visits the hills of Southern Poland. As Stage 5 journeys 160.5km from the town of Nowy Targ to the city of Zakopane. The stage utilises multiple ascents of the Bukowina Tatrzańska, Głodówka, Łapszanka, and successive Droga Do Olczy and Zakopane climbs. With the stage concluding atop the summit of the Zakopan.
A lengthier and gruelling parcours awaits the peloton for Stage 6, a similar situation to Stage 2 in the Dolomites. As the peloton cycles a 192km long five lap criterium beginning in Bukowina Tatrzańska, each lap 38.4km in length. If Stage 5 was somehow won by a sprinter with good legs on the climbs, Stage 6 will certainly be for the puncheurs. With the repeated punchy ascents of the Ząb, Gliczarów Górny, and Bukowina Tatrzańska climbs.
The overall winner of the Tour de Pologne could ultimately be determined by the 37km individual time trial from the mining town of Wieliczka to the city of Kraków. The parcours should suit the time trial specialists, however, the length and rolling nature of the terrain should shorten the time gaps to a degree. The individual time trial should allow the favourites for the UCI Road World Championships Elite Men's Individual Time Trial to gauge their preparation and performance approaching the event.
Edited by Malkael on 23-07-2013 13:35
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| Malkael |
Posted on 23-07-2013 13:34
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Sprinter
Posts: 1697
Joined: 02-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Commencing this forthcoming weekend, the Tour de Pologne is primed to present seven interesting days of racing. However, the reportedly strong startlist, including 2013 Giro d'Italia champion Vincenzo Nibali, and interesting race route are not the major talking points this edition. With race organisers Lang Team co-operating with the UCI to trial two different pilot projects during the 70th edition of the Tour of Poland.
Perhaps the most significant, and least complicated, difference is the change in squad sizes, with the teams now only able to bring six riders. The suggested response to the current dominance of Sky Pro Cycling has often been to reduce the sizes of teams, with the added side effect that the race organisers could then also invite more teams to participate in the race.
These discussions have often been spurred on by the excitement and unpredictability of the Olympic Men's Road Race, where squad sizes are as diminutive as five cyclists. With the United Kingdom's failure to control the breakaway for outright favourite Mark Cavendish, leading to a surprise gold medal victory for Alexandre Vinokourov, a prime example behind people's reasoning.
The Tour de Pologne shall also experiment with the UCI's “Race Appeal” project. Which has the potential to encourage more aggressive riding. During each stage, the cyclist who has accrued the highest points total from the Intermediate Sprint and King of the Mountain contests shall receive a significant time bonus in the General Classification.
There are three levels of time bonus on offer; with 30 seconds to the highest scorer, 20 seconds to the second highest scorer, and 10 seconds to the third highest scorer. There are a few quirks to the “Race Appeal” system when ties are involved. However, usually only the three highest points scorers will receive time bonuses.
As an example, should two or more cyclists be tied for the third highest points total, then more than three cyclists claim the allocated time bonuses. However, should three cyclists tie for first position in the competition they all receive the 30 second time bonus but no cyclists receive the 20 or 10 second time bonuses.
Another situation to account for involves two cyclists tying for first, any cyclists second in the competition standings will actually receive the 10 second time bonus and not the 20 second time bonus. There are a variety of situations to consider during each stage, but hopefully this short explanation helps explain some of the mechanics behind the “Race Appeal” project.
With the UCI looking to establish its “Race Appeal” project as a permanent rule fixture at UCI World Tour races from 2014. The Tour de Pologne presents itself as an opportune moment to observe and analyse the affects of the new “Attractivity Contest classification”, before it potentially becomes a permanent addition to cycling.
In theory, it has the potential to provoke a whole new series of tactical battles between different General Classification teams and their rivals. Whether the risk-reward factor will be high enough to coax a greater number of daring attacks out of the General Classification favourites is debatable. However, how great would it be to see daring attacks from further out than the last two to three kilometres carry some reward for those cyclists who dare to excite.
Edited by Malkael on 23-07-2013 13:37
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| Malkael |
Posted on 23-07-2013 13:35
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 23-07-2013 13:36
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Really curious about this Tour of Poland. There are some interesting changes that I hope will turn out quite well! |
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| doddy13 |
Posted on 23-07-2013 13:39
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Grand Tour Champion
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I spend most of the year joking about Poland (mostly due to those horrendous television adverts), but it usually turns out to be some good racing.
I hope the same for this year.
There's no point slapping a schleck - Sean Kelly on "Who needs a slap"
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| cio93 |
Posted on 23-07-2013 13:46
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World Champion
Posts: 10845
Joined: 29-10-2007
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Another stunning preview 
And regarding that "race appeal" stuff I heard for the first time ever: I assume the stage winner still receives a bigger time bonus than what is given in this category, so even more than 30 seconds??
Or is this like supercombativity and only given once at the end?
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 23-07-2013 13:51
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
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Reading all the changed rules, I really hope they didn't make it too complicated. Riders won't know what to do because they've constantly thinking: wait, how many seconds do I need and do I haven now?  |
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| Malkael |
Posted on 23-07-2013 13:56
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Sprinter
Posts: 1697
Joined: 02-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Time bonuses at the finish of each stage will be 10", 6", and 4" respectively. So technically someone could get a 40 second time bonus if they win both the stage and the “Attractivity Contest" classification (Race Appeal).
Not to mention it also stacks with the time bonuses at the Intermediate Sprints of 3", 2", and 1". With the number of intermediate sprints scattered through the parcours one could feasibly gain back roughly 50" with all the time bonuses on offer.
It is like the daily Combative prize and is given out at the conclusion of the stage.
Edited by Malkael on 23-07-2013 14:10
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 23-07-2013 13:58
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World Champion
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Hol shit, what a preview. |
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| cio93 |
Posted on 23-07-2013 14:02
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World Champion
Posts: 10845
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Malkael wrote:
Time bonuses at the finish of each stage will be 10", 6", and 4" respectively. So technically someone could get a 40 second time bonus if they win both the stage and the “Attractivity Contest" classification (Race Appeal).
Not to mention it also stacks with the time bonuses at the Intermediate Sprints of 3", 2", and 1". With the number of intermediate sprints scattered through the parcours one could feasibly gain back roughly 50" with all the time bonuses on offer.
Yes it is like the Super-Combative prize and is given out once, at the conclusion of the stage.
Nope, after the race, not stage.
So you're trying to tell me each of those 6 bonuses is worth three stage wins?
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| Spilak23 |
Posted on 23-07-2013 14:06
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Good to see Anacona finally back in racing! 
Hope Duarte has some form aswel.
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| Malkael |
Posted on 23-07-2013 14:09
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Apologies, like the Combative prize rather. Figuring out the "Race Appeal" rules does your head in. Technically they aren't that complex, and riders will be told via race radio the classification situation, but tell that to the verbose rules .
Edited by Malkael on 23-07-2013 14:13
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 23-07-2013 14:09
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I have the feeling that the appeal or what the hell is called bonus is going to cause polemic. |
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| CountArach |
Posted on 23-07-2013 14:10
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Aha finally time for the biggest race of the year - the Champions League of cycling!
And amazing preview. Honestly, that is a huge effort.
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| kumazan |
Posted on 23-07-2013 14:33
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The new rules are really interesting, they have the potential to make this race quite good.
And great preview, just like those you did for the Tour. Thanks for your effort. 
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| Malkael |
Posted on 23-07-2013 14:41
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Sprinter
Posts: 1697
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cio93 wrote:
So you're trying to tell me each of those 6 bonuses is worth three stage wins?
Likely rhetorical, but lets use Stage 4 as an example just cause, which has three intermediate sprints for the day. The stage victory is worth 10", winning the "Race Appeal' classification is worth 30", whilst winning the three intermediate sprints is worth 3" each (9" in total).
So yes you could say that winning all those bonuses is like five or six stage victories. Can get quite the nice haul even without outright winning stages, sprints and the "Race Appeal" competition. So things are going to be interesting for sure. |
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| cio93 |
Posted on 23-07-2013 14:49
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That's only feasible for stage races with a significant amount of selective stages imo.
I don't want to see Manuele Mori win Eneco Tour...
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| Malkael |
Posted on 23-07-2013 15:13
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Fortunately, or unfortunately, I do not think that will be occurring any time soon. Although, I am still in the dark with how points are scored, the book doesn't mention a scoring system beyond where you can score them.
Does it go off the points on offer in other competitions? Does conquering a penultimate Category 1 climb offer more points then an Intermediate Sprint? Why can't you put these things in the race book people!
It is possible it works with the points on offer for the Most Active and King of the Mountains classification. The points totals in the examples match the possibilities, but I cannot be sure.
Edited by Malkael on 23-07-2013 15:14
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| Stromeon |
Posted on 23-07-2013 15:20
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That Race Appeal thing has done my head in and the race hasn't even started! I'm just grimly imagining Carlton Kirby trying to explain this to us...
Should be a really interesting race though and we could see some surprising people finish well up in the overall classification due to these rules
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