Rzeszów will host the ORLEN Nations Grand Prix cycling race in 2020. The competition will take place on August 29-30 and will be the final event of the UCI Nations CUP U23 series.
The ORLEN Nations Grand Prix was first held in 2019 as one of the UCI Nations Cup U23 races – a series for the most talented young riders who represent their national teams. Next year ORLEN Nations Grand Prix in Rzeszów will feature two-stage event – team time trial on the first day and an in-line race on the second concluding with an individual and a team general classification.
– Once again we will have the opportunity to support one of the most interesting cycling events in Poland. For PKN ORLEN, apart from the business benefits that sport sponsorship brings, the involvement in cycling also has a social dimension. In this way, we give young and talented athletes a chance to participate in a prestigious event and to confirm their skills. It is also another initiative for us through which we can promote a healthy and active lifestyle – said Daniel Obajtek, President of the Management Board of PKN ORLEN.
In 2020, the UCI Nations Cup U23 will host six races, including Gent – Wevelgem in Belgium, Course de la Paix in the Czech Republic and Tour de l’Avenir in France. The ORLEN Nations Grand Prix will not only be the final event of the series, but also an important test before the championship events. The European Championships will be held September 9-13 in Italy (Trentino), and the World Championships September 20-27 in Switzerland (Aigle, Martigny). PKN Orlen is the Title Sponsor of the ORLEN Nations Grand Prix.
– This year’s ORLEN Nations Grand Prix showed great potential for national teams’ competition. On one hand, it is a throwback to the times when Polish fans could cheer for the riders in white and red shirts, on the other, they could discover the future stars of the professional peloton. This race highlights the spontaneous and emotional side of cycling. I am glad that next year, together with the PKN ORLEN, we will be able to invite all cycling fans to Rzeszów. I am convinced that after the successful debut of the race among the UCI Nations Cup U23 we will witness an even more interesting battle between the best young riders from around the world – said Czeslaw Lang, General Director of the Lang Team.
Races belonging to the UCI Nations Cup U23 enjoy high prestige and recognition. Young winners often later play major roles in the professional peloton. This racing series has launched, among others, Tom Dumoulin, Fernando Gaviria and Nairo Quintana, now considered the stars of world cycling.
