Chiara Consonni dominates the Tour of Poland Women’s Tour
After three days of exciting competition, the third edition of the Tour of Poland Women came to an end. In the final stage, the women riders tackled a bumpy course from Spa Park in Nałęczów to Kraśnik. The peloton covered a total of 128 kilometers, crossing two flying sprints in Urzędów and Węgliska, as well as a special zondacrypto finish in Stróża, just 6 kilometers from the finish. The finish in Kraśnik was slightly uphill, with a short stretch of cobblestones in the last kilometer.
Unfortunately, due to illness, Dominika Włodarczyk of UAE Team ADQ – best Polish rider in the previous stage – could not take the start. From the first kilometers, the pace of the peloton was high, with strong winds and high speeds breaking the peloton. Some riders managed to get back in, and the first group reached the flying finish line in Urzędów, where Kathrin Schweinberger (Human Powered Health) had the best time, followed by Chiara Consonni, leader of both the Most Active Rider and the overall standings.
Little later, Kirk Schad (Danish National Team) tried a breakaway, but was quickly caught. Anne Knijenburg (VolkerWessels) and Marie-Louise Hartz Krogager (Danish National Team) then tried, managing to build up a lead of more than two minutes, with Nikol Płosaj (TKK Pacific Nestlé Fitness) and Romina Hinojosa (Lotto) in pursuit. At the flying finish in Węgliska, Knijenburg took maximum points, ahead of Krogager and Płosaj, who was caught soon after by the peloton. With just over 20 kilometers to go, Knijenburg attacked alone, pulling away from her breakaway companion. Marta Jaskulska (Polish national team) tried to chase, but after a few kilometers she rejoined the group. The Dutch cyclist continued her solo action, also winning the zondacrypto finish in Stróża.
Five kilometers from the finish in Kraśnik, Marta Jaskulska still had a 45-second lead over the reduced group. She fought to the last for the victory, but was caught with only 300 meters to go.
A few moments later, Chiara Consonni launched her sprint, winning the stage and taking both the overall and the Most Active Rider rankings.
