A Thrilling Finale in Wieliczka and a Spectacular Triumph for Marco Brenner
The final 7th stage of the 83rd edition of the Tour de Pologne brought incredible twists and turns along the 12.5-kilometer individual time trial, starting and finishing at the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine. Under superb weather conditions—27 degrees Celsius, full sunshine, and virtually no wind—the riders faced an unforgiving battle against the clock. The last rider rolled off the start ramp at 4:14 PM, and high-stakes drama unfolded right from the start.
Stage victory went to Switzerland’s Stefan Küng (Tudor Pro Cycling Team), who covered the course in 14’25” at an average speed of 51.9 km/h, edging out FinnFisher-Black and Callum Thornley (both Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe) by just four hundredths of a second. However, it was his teammate, Marco Brenner, who stole the show. The young German delivered the time trial of his life (14’37”, earning 7th place on the stage), launching a dramatic leap in the standings to seal his victory in both the ORLEN General Classification and the Lang Team Points Classification. “Was this the time trial of my life? The short answer is yes. It was a perfect day for me. I knew I had a huge opportunity—if everything went well, winning the general classification was within my reach. I knew my potential from the past; although it slipped a bit in recent years, I put a ton of work into time trial bike training again this year. I’m thrilled that everything came together perfectly today. The turning point was the second tough stage, where I finished second. A day earlier, I was involved in a crash and didn’t know how things would unfold, but I didn’t give up. I showed that I’m one of the best climbers and believed I could fight for a podium or another big result. However, I only truly believed in the overall win yesterday after the stage when I saw my great starting position ahead of the time trial,” a thrilled Marco Brenner recounted at the finish line.
The German rider added that while he had a quick flight home to catch, he leaves Poland with unforgettable memories: “I didn’t win a single stage here, but the ultimate success is the result of consistent riding at the very front every day. I’m actually much happier about the leader’s jersey than winning the points classification. Today I still have to catch my flight, and what I’ve achieved will probably sink in over the next few days. The best part for me was yesterday’s route—beautiful surroundings and so many amazing fans. Polish people are truly wonderful. I raced here back in 2022 and had great memories, so I was really looking forward to returning. The entire race was brilliantly organized. Will I come back next year? We’ll see what plans the team prepares, but I would love to return.”
Time trial winner Stefan Küng was equally delighted after a race filled with breakthrough moments: “I felt really great all week, which is why I was so determined to fight for the win today. And I pulled it off! I am extremely happy and, to be honest, deeply moved. In my previous race, I had a nasty crash – I broke my femur and was out of racing for a very long time. At one point, I even doubted whether I’d ever return to the top level. Winning the final stage of the Tour de Pologne feels almost unbelievable. Right after crossing the finish line, I called my family and the physiotherapist who put so much work into my recovery. This is without a doubt one of the most beautiful victories of my career. I raced here last year as well, and I really love this race and Poland itself. We had a wonderful week with the whole team –Marco rode amazingly, turned the tide of the competition, and won the general classification, so the day couldn’t have turned out better for us. I’m proud of my teammates and thankful to the organizers for putting together such a great race with a fantastic route.”
Poles on the Course: Kwiatkowski’s Determination and Gruszczyński’s Promising Performance
The course in Wieliczka also brought final resolutions in the competition among Polish riders. A very strong performance was delivered by Michał Kwiatkowski (Netcompany INEOS), whose time of 15’02” made him the highest-placed Polish rider on Stage 7. The decorated cyclist emphasized how much energy he draws from domestic fans and outlined his upcoming plans for the season: “My motivation is at one hundred percent. From the beginning of the season, my plan was to prepare for the World Championships through the Canadian classics—Québec and Montréal. I have over four weeks to catch my breath and train, and after the World Championships, I’d like to ride a few more classics and perhaps the European Championships. It will be a long journey, almost like a grand tour in terms of racing days, but I enjoy racing in Canada. Injuries and tough moments are part of my life. I do what I love, give one hundred percent every day, and I don’t see myself in any other role right now. That’s the example I want to set for the kids at my academy and for my daughters—you have to approach everything professionally. What I will remember most from the Tour de Pologne is how recognizable I am and how amazingly the Polish fans support me. Sitting on the bus alongside riders like Egan Bernal or Geraint Thomas, I take immense pleasure in representing Poland and want to give that support back on the road. My rule is simple: hard work over a long period, never giving up, and doing what I do best.”
Meanwhile, the highest-placed Pole in the General Classification was Filip Gruszczyński (Polish National Team), who completed the race in a strong 25th place overall. The young national team rider summarized his start with perspective and a smile: “I rate the race very positively—the bike from my dad worked great, and the time trial result was quite okay relative to my preparation. I leave with the title of top Pole, satisfaction, and the conviction that I can compete with the world’s elite. I’ll remember the great atmosphere, crowds of fans, and the personalized gingerbreads featuring the Tour de Pologne logo and my name that our team received. I don’t intend to keep them as souvenirs—I’m going to enjoy eating them over the next few days.”
Final standings were also settled in the other classifications: Walter Calzoni (Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) defended the PZU white jersey with blue polka dots as best climber, while Radosław Frątczak (Polish National Team) sealed victory in the most active rider competition, taking the Lotto blue jersey on the podium.
Stage 7 Results (Wieliczka – 12.5 km ITT)
- Stefan Küng (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) – 14’25” (avg. 51.9 km/h)
- Finn Fisher-Black (Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe) – 14’29” (+0.04″)
- Callum Thornley (Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe) – 14’29” (+0.04″)
