The five-stage ORLEN Nations Grand Prix will start on 24 May. For the first time in its history, the race will be held outside Poland. The route of the race will pass through Hungary, Slovakia and Poland. If you’re not familiar yet with the 2023 route, read descriptions of each of the five stages.
24.05 STAGE 1 – 135 km – Kaposvár- Balatonföldvár | Hungary
The stage starting in Kaposvár – known for the Zselic nature reserve and the fascinating remains of the Benedictine abbey of Szentjakab – ends in Balatonföldvár – Hungary – and is absolutely a great start to the new edition of the U23 race. This location, no stranger to international cycling, hosted a stage of the Giro d’Italia last year. The course is mostly flat, making it ideal for sprinters, except for the last few meters, which are characterized by an almost unexpected climb with gradients of up to 5%. The breathtaking finish with a splendid view of Lake Balaton will be the deserved reward for the winner of the day.
25.05 STAGE 2 – 152 km – Hatvan – Bükkszentkereszt | Hungary
The second stage starts in Hatvan, which in the local language means ‘sixty’ and legend says that the name is due to the distance separating it from Budapest. This location is in fact exactly sixty kilometers east of the capital. It will be a stage of ups and downs that will favor climbers, with many climbs with gradients of around 5%, totalling 2300 meters of elevation gain. A long and demanding climb of almost 6 kilometers awaits the riders before the finish in Bükkszentkereszt , surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery.
26.05 STAGE 3 – 124 km – Levoča- Štrbské Pleso | Slovakia
The third stage will move the entire peloton to Slovakia, where breathtaking scenery – very familiar from the Tour de Pologne – will welcome the riders. In fact, the view of the Tatra Mountains will provide the backdrop for this stage completely dedicated to climbers. The altimetry of the route includes very tough climbs with a total altitude difference of more than 2,300 meters. The finish line will be preceded by a ten-kilometer climb that promises spectacle to the last meter before the finish line in the center of Štrbské Pleso, a paradise for lovers of outdoor sports.
27.05 STAGE 4 – 129 km – BUKOVINA Resort – Nowy Sącz | Poland
After the stage in Slovakia, the race will move on to Poland, gathering the riders in BUKOVINA Resort for the start of stage four, an iconic location where the Tour de Pologne has taken place numerous times. The route features a steep initial climb followed by a rolling section that will take the riders to the halfway point of the 128-kilometer stage. The stage features an interesting and rather demanding section that includes a 4-kilometer climb, on which the Polish mountain car championship is held every year. The finish in Nowy Sącz will certainly be an ideal one for the sprinters
28.05 STAGE 5 – 145 km – Sanok – Hotel Arłamów | Poland
The final stage from Sanok to Hotel Arłamów partly follows the route of last year’s Tour de Pologne. It is a very exciting final challenge, characterised by several short but sharp climbs that will favour Classics’ riders. Two special bonuses located in the town of Ustrzyki Dolne and Gmina Fredropol will make it even more adrenaline-pumping. The final consists of a 2-kilometre climb to be ridden twice with a gradient of 10%. The finish line, located in the Hotel Arłamów, is framed by the beauty of the Carpathian Mountains, and will crown the winner of the fifth edition of this race.
