POLAND BOUND WITH POWERFUL, RACE-READY SQUAD

Following a rare weekend of no racing on the women’s calendar, CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto returns with back-to-back stage races in Poland and Switzerland starting on 12 and 15 August, respectively. 

The team’s line-up for the three days of Tour de Pologne Women will be Polish powerhouse Agnieszka Skalniak-Sójka, supported by Zoe Bäckstedt, Chiara Consonni, Tiffany Cromwell, and Maria Martins. Making her debut for the Women’s World Team is 2024 Zwift Academy winner, Emily Dixon. After a seven-year hiatus, the women’s tour returned to the calendar in 2023 and is also supported by the team’s co-title partner, zondacrypto. 

The 2025 Tour de Pologne Women isn’t a race dominated by climbs, but rather one where speed and positioning will play a more crucial part. On paper, the three stages can be expected to finish in a straight-up sprinting showdown, with only a few rolling sections that shouldn’t pose too much trouble for the sprinters. However, the potential for crosswinds, paired with more undulating terrain and smaller roads on the final day around Kraśnik, marks a chance for the opportunists and aggressive riders to launch a surprise move. 

Three of the team’s six riders come from a successful Baloise Tour last month, where Zoe won the prologue, two stages and the overall title, and Chiara took two podiums, with the support of Maria. They’ll be reinforced by the sprinting strength of Agnieszka, the enthusiasm of Emily and the road captaincy of Tiffany, so we can expect a well-oiled machine to dominate the race in Poland.

Agnieszka says:

“I am very happy that the organisers of the Tour de Pologne returned after several years with a women’s edition. I think it’s very important for cycling in Poland and the development of the younger generation. At the start of the men’s race, there are also a few days of small races for children, where you see more young people getting on the bike and aspiring to be a pro cyclist in the future.”

“I’m proud that zondacrypto, which had its foundations in Poland, supports cycling in Poland at such a high level, but also that it chose to support specifically women’s cycling outside of Poland such as at Strade Bianche or Giro d’Italia Women.”

“This will be my first start in the Tour de Pologne, and I am very excited. I’m looking forward to the Polish fans and their support along the route. I feel motivated and ready to fight. This year’s stages are flat, but the second and third end with an uphill finish that I think suits me.”

“It will be fast, possibly windy, and we have to be ready for different scenarios. We have a strong team and I am confident that we can fight for good results, especially in front of our partner, zondacrypto.”

Zoe adds: 

“I enjoyed a recovery and training block after Baloise, and even managed some rare time at home with my family.”

“The stages are quite short, and I’m looking forward to all of the tour! Personally, I don’t have any specific goals in mind. I want to help the team with some lead-outs in the best way possible and hopefully find a victory or two. As well, it’s a home race for Aga, so we’d love to bring home a result.”

HOW TO FOLLOW

Stage 1 | Tuesday, August 12 | Zamość – Zamość | 105.6km | 610m elevation | Start: 12:50 – Fastest finish 15:10 CEST. Live from 13:30.

Stage 2 | Wednesday, August 13 | Chełm – Chełm | 99.5km | 674m elevation | Start 13:00 – Fastest finish 15:22 CEST. Live from 13:30.

Stage 3 | Thursday, August 14 | Nalęczów – Kraśnik, Powiat Kraśnicki | 128.1km | 998m elevation | Start 12:15 – Fastest finish 15:10 CEST. Live from 14:00.

Live coverage is available on TVP Sport, Eurosport, and Discovery+. Stay updated on X with #TourdePologneWomen, and follow CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto’s social channels for the latest team news.