The ORLEN Nations Grand Prix is entering its decisive phase. Two demanding Bieszczady stages await the riders. Today’s stage will take place on a tough route from Ustrzyki Dolne to the Arłamów Hotel, which will test the young cyclists’ climbing abilities. Will Ludovico Maria Mellano keep the leader’s jersey in the ORLEN general classification?
Yesterday’s stage of the ORLEN Nations Grand Prix was the epitome of youth racing – dynamic, unpredictable, full of accelerations and attacks. Everything suggests that today will be similar. The peloton will be riding mostly along the picturesque Bieszczady roads, but the riders won’t have time to admire the mountain views. As early as the 28th kilometre, a special sprint awaits the riders in Lesko, Leski County.
The hilly route begins in the beautifully located town of Ustrzyki Dolne and ends – just like yesterday – at the Arłamów Hotel. The finish of the second stage on a steep climb brought a lot of excitement. Today will be even tougher. Along the way, the riders will pass through the famous Bieszczady Loop, which has been visited by both the Tour de Pologne and the ORLEN Nations Grand Prix. There, the under-23 cyclists will face steep ascents in Kalwaria Pacławska and Gruszowa, which could prove decisive in today’s stage.
“It will definitely be just as interesting. We are in the Bieszczady Mountains, starting from Ustrzyki Dolne and finishing again at the Arłamów Hotel on an exciting climb. There will also be many climbs beforehand. We can see that the level is very high and balanced. I was especially impressed by the Austrian who finished third yesterday – he definitely won’t let the Italians beat him at the finish again” said Czesław Lang, the General Director of the race.
He was referring to Marco Schrettl, who initiated a three-man breakaway with two Italian riders – Ludovico Maria Mellano and Filippo Turconi. The Austrian ran out of energy at the finish but proved with his performance that he is very strong in the mountains. The Italians are in pole position to win, but the time gaps among the top three in the general classification of ORLEN, the Title Sponsor of the ORLEN Nations Grand Prix, remain minimal.
“I’m now waiting for more good days. We want to keep the lead in the general classification – we want to do it for ourselves and for the whole Italian team” said race leader Ludovico Maria Mellano.
Polish riders follow – the highest-ranked is Mateusz Gajdulewicz in 29th position. Patryk Goszczurny rode actively yesterday but struggled with the demanding weather conditions. He still hopes to make up for that setback in this year’s edition of the ORLEN Nations Grand Prix.
“We keep fighting! I hope to go for a good stage result because although the general classification is out of reach for me, I still want to show something here” said Patryk Goszczurny. The Polish national team coach – Tomasz Brożyna – confirmed that the team won’t give up and will try to move up in the general standings. Around 5:15 PM at the Arłamów Hotel, we’ll find out who wins Stage 3 of the ORLEN Nations Grand Prix and who will wear the white leader’s jersey going into tomorrow’s final battle.
You can follow the ORLEN Nations Grand Prix through the media. 25-minute highlights of each stage will be broadcast in the evenings on TVP Sport (today at 10:35 PM). Race reports are also available on Telewizja Polska, TVN, as well as on Polish Radio’s “Jedynka” and “Trójka”, and on Onet.
