For under-23 riders, the ORLEN Nations Grand Prix has long been one of the most important fixtures on the calendar. This year, top U23 cyclists once again came to Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, competing before later chasing victories in other prestigious races throughout the season.
World Tour cycling teams began recognizing the importance of youth development years ago, establishing “development” squads to nurture young talent. Many riders from these teams, competing under national colors, participate in the most prestigious series of races for the U23 category: the UCI Nations Cup. This series included three races – the ORLEN Nations Grand Prix, the Peace Race in the Czech Republic, and the Tour de l’Avenir in France.
It’s no surprise that the best riders in this age category came to Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, where this year’s ORLEN Nations Grand Prix took place. For these riders, it’s a chance to showcase their skills to a broader audience and secure contracts with top-tier teams. The level of competition is evidenced by the seasons enjoyed by those who stood out in May’s event.
The race was dominated by the French duo Mathys Rondel and Brieuc Rolland, who impressed on the climb to Kohutka and confidently secured first and second places in the ORLEN general classification. They demonstrated impressive climbing skills and remarkable endurance. The winner, Mathys Rondel, went on to secure an excellent 4th place in the general classification of the Giro d’Italia Next Gen for U23 riders a few weeks later. He also performed well in the French Tour Alsace.
His compatriot, Brieuc Rolland, who played a supporting role in the ORLEN Nations Grand Prix, claimed his own victory less than two weeks later in the general classification of the Peace Race in the Czech Republic. Later in the season, he added an 8th place in the Tour de l’Avenir, a victory in the U23 edition of the Il Lombardia classic, and 3rd place in the elite-level La Polynormande!
Their strong results throughout the season allowed both riders to secure professional contracts. Mathys Rondel joined the Tudor Pro Cycling Team, where he will race alongside two-time world champion Julian Alaphilippe, while Brieuc Rolland signed with the WorldTour team Groupama-FDJ.
– These riders represent their countries, and nations don’t send just anyone. They are selected talents who have already shown their potential, and that’s why the best of the best come here. Competing against each other, we see who has the most talent, and the top riders subsequently sign professional contracts – said Czesław Lang, General Director of ORLEN Nations Grand Prix.
The third-place finisher in the ORLEN Nations Grand Prix general classification, Luxembourg’s Arno Wallenborn, also had a solid season, including 7th place in the Peace Race. Next season, he will ride for the continental development team of Tudor Pro Cycling. Kristian Egholm (Denmark), a stage winner in Bouzov, and Pietro Mattio (Italy), who won the Lang Team mountain classification thanks to his active riding, will also compete in development teams.
Matthew Brennan showcased outstanding form throughout the season. Although he didn’t win a stage in the ORLEN Nations Grand Prix, he consistently placed near the top, falling outside the top five only once (finishing sixth) and securing a strong 4th place overall. He later won a stage in the Giro d’Italia Next Gen and achieved three top finishes in the Tour de l’Avenir. In the coming years, he will develop his talent under the guidance of experts from Team Visma | Lease a Bike.
Emiel Verstrynge, who finished 5th in the ORLEN Nations Grand Prix, also performed well, particularly in hilly and mountainous terrain. The Belgian not only achieved top positions in the Polish UCI Nations Cup race but also narrowly missed out on a stage win in the Tour de l’Avenir.
The achievements of these riders highlight the importance of youth cycling races. Each year, the peloton racing through the roads of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia features the best U23 cyclists. Those mentioned above shone brightly during the ORLEN Nations Grand Prix in May, and it’s only a matter of time before they illuminate the grand stages of the world’s biggest cycling events.
