Race preview: Dookola Mazowsza & Puchar MON
The wait is over. After 129 days without racing, Leopard Pro Cycling returns back at the start line of an official UCI race. As of tomorrow, the team takes part in the four-day stage race Dookoła Mazowsza, before continuing at the Puchar MON next Sunday.
The Race
The Dookoła Mazowsza (UCI 2.2) is the first stage of the new UCI race calendar for 2020 and is ridden in the historical region of Mazovia, Poland. The organization has scheduled four stages for the riders, starting with a 168 kilometers long flat stage – divided in smaller local laps – in Teresin. On day two, a individual time trial of just 2.2 kilometers is on the menu, before the race takes on the two last stages on hilly terrain. These will most definitely be crucial for the general classification. Leopard Pro Cycling brings a strong team that can play a role on all terrains.
Stages
15.07 | Teresin - Teresin | 168 km
16.07 | Służewiec - Służewiec | 2.2 km
17.07 | Grodzisk Mazowiecki - Grodzisk Mazowiecki | 170 km
18.07 | Kozienice – Kozienice | 165 km
Previous years
In the fourteen earlier editions of the Dookoła Mazowsza, the race has been won eleven times by a Polish rider. It goes without saying that all know who to look out for. In recent years, the battle for the general classification was often an exciting one with small margins between the first riders. Last year, the race was won by Stanisław Aniołkowski, who is also present this year.
Who is riding?
Patrick Haller (GER), Miguel Heidemann (GER), Colin Heiderscheid (LUX), Misch Leyder (LUX), Jan Maas (NED) & Szymon Rekita (POL) - DS: Gaëtan Pons (LUX)
Puchar MON (1.2)
One day after finishing the Dookoła Mazowsza, Leopard Pro Cycling continues with the Puchar MON, a flat UCI 1.2 race in the northeast of Poland. However, being flat doesn’t mean that the race will be easy. The past has shown that smaller groups were fighting for the victory and one can expect the same scenario this year with riders at the start line who are all eager to race again.
Photographer
(c) Elisa Haumesser
Szymon Rekita
“In the last eight years, I did not race very much in Poland, so I am excited to race with Leopard Pro Cycling in my home country. Especially since the last few months were not easy. We all didn’t know when we were able to race again, but now we can’t wait to feel the pain in the legs again. I expect a lively race as everybody will be motivated at the start. For sure, we will do our best to give the fans and the team’s partners some joy directly from the beginning.”
Partners Cycling
