29 June, 2024
Laura Molenaar Clinches Solo Victory in Tour de Pologne Women’s Stage Two

The second stage of the Tour de Pologne Women featured a challenging 136 km ride from Krasnystaw to Kraśnik, marked by rolling hills and intense heat. Dutch rider Laura Molenaar from the VolkerWessels team emerged victorious, crossing the finish line solo and earning the prestigious ORLEN yellow jersey as the new leader of the general classification.

Dutch rider Laura Molenaar from the VolkerWessels team emerged victorious, crossing the finish line solo and earning the prestigious ORLEN yellow jersey as the new leader of the general classification.

“It’s unbelievable,” Molenaar exclaimed after the race. “This is my first UCI victory, and I couldn’t have done it without my team.”

The day started in the charming market square of Krasnystaw, with the peloton maintaining a high pace from the get-go. Despite the heat, Scarlet Souren of VolkerWessels secured the first LOTTO intermediate sprint, gaining a crucial three-second bonus.

As the race progressed, several teams attempted breakaways, with the riders of MAT ATOM Deweloper Wrocław among the most active. However, the peloton stayed tight until VolkerWessels launched a decisive attack on a climb midway through the stage, causing a split. The ORLEN leader, Stina Kagevi, lost contact during this critical moment.

With 25 km to go, Karolina Perekitko made a solo breakaway attempt but was quickly reeled in. Nikola Bajgerova of MAT ATOM Deweloper won the intermediate sprint to Batorz, claiming the blue LOTTO combativity jersey.

In the final stretch, Laura Molenaar launched a powerful attack, finishing 25 seconds ahead of the chasers. Katarzyna Wilkos of MAT ATOM Deweloper Wrocław secured second place, showing strong form and determination.

“I am very happy. We are fighting for the general classification, and tomorrow is another day,” Wilkos said, reflecting on her performance and the team’s strategy.

Rossella Souren, Molenaar’s teammate, completed the podium by finishing third in the stage and second in the overall standings.

The Tour de Pologne Women has showcased the growing excitement around women’s cycling, with fans lining the roads of the Lublin region to cheer on the riders. The race’s organization has also received praise, with Molenaar likening it to a UCI World Tour event.

Czeslaw Lang, the general director of the Tour de Pologne Women, expressed his enthusiasm for the competition. “The riders kept a high pace right from the start. The hilly course split the peloton, and the Polish cyclists showed great promise.”

The final stage on Sunday will take the riders from Arche Nałęczów to Kazimierz Dolny, concluding the second edition of the Tour de Pologne Women. Laura Molenaar will start in the yellow ORLEN leader’s jersey, while Nikola Bajgerova will wear the blue LOTTO combativity jersey. VolkerWessels leads the team classification going into the final day.

For more information on the competition, visit Tour de Pologne Women.

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