Morten Aalling Nørtoft and Denmark lead the fourth edition of the ORLEN Nations Grand Prix.
Ole Theiler won the second and final stage of the fourth edition of the ORLEN Nations Grand Prix ahead of team-mates Leslie Lührs, 2nd, and Tim Torn Teutenberg, 3rd.
The German rider, part of the initial breakaway, was the only one to survive the chasing group after attacking with about 10km to go. No breakaway companions were able to follow as the 19-year-old gained ground and won by 19″ over the peloton. Theiler completed the 135 km long stage 2, in 3h 01’ 19” at an average speed of 44.673 km/h.
“It’s crazy, I’m so happy.” said a really excited Ole Theiler after the stage win. “I knew today was going to be my day, I felt good and I am so happy to have made it. It’s also crazy that three of us got on the podium. I’m over the moon. Now I am more than ready for the rest of the season.”
Denmark instead won the fourth edition of the race, dedicated to young professionals, with an incredible Morten Aalling Nørtoft, already winner of the first stage.
The day began at 8:15 a.m. as light rain fell in the Podlasie region, where the ORLEN Grand Prix of Nations was held. The 136-kilometer stage, from Białystok to Augustów, took place on an undulating course through the magnificent forests of northeastern Poland, with a final 650-meter cobbled section.
Shortly after the start there were several attempts to form a breakaway, until a small group of four riders-Ole Theiler (Niemcy), Radosław Frątczak, Piotr Maślak (KK Tarnovia Tarnowo Podgórne), Kacper Majewski (GKS Cartusia w Kartuzach Bike Atelier)-gained a good gap from the group, which slowly increased to a maximum of 2′ 10″.
Of the 12 national teams that competed on Poland’s roads over the two days, the Poles, Germans and Danes were quite active, alternating with the Belgians and Lithuanians to maintain a fairly high pace on this second stage.
As the gap to the breakaway riders increased again, with less than 45 km to go, the Belgian riders returned to the front of the peloton as the wind, which accompanied the 135-kilometer race, forced riders to form echelons. General classification leader Morten Aalling Nørtoft rode right behind the Belgian team, which set such an incredibly high pace that split the peloton into several groups.
With less than 40 kilometers to go, the Belgian team stopped pulling the stretched group now consisting of only 30 of the 73 riders present. The Danes retook the lead as Piotr Maślak, Radosław Frątczak, Kacper Majewski, Ole Theiler maintained a 1:10 gap with less than 20 km to go.
Another edition closes in the spirit of the ORLEN Grand Prix of Nations, to give opportunities to the professional cycling champions of tomorrow.
