Tour de Pologne stage 4: Olav Kooji wins stage

Posted : 02 August 2023

Olav Kooji of Jumbo Visma secured victory in a thrilling sprint finish in Opole, claiming the win in the fourth stage of the Tour de Pologne. Marjin van den Berg from EF Education-EasyPost took second place, while Matteo Moschetti of Q36.5 finished in third. Matej Mohorič retained his position as the leader in the ORLEN general classification.

This marks the Dutchman's second triumph in the Tour de Pologne, having achieved his first win in Lublin a year ago. It was also his first World Tour victory.

Reflecting on the race, Olav Kooij stated, "It was a technical and fast final, with potential climbs, so everyone aimed to be at the forefront. We knew the last corner would be crucial. I emerged in second position after the corner and had to initiate the sprint from a distance. Ideally, I wanted to wait a little longer, but you have to seize the opportunity when it arises. I gave it my all, and I'm thrilled to secure the win. This victory gives me a boost of morale as I prepare for the national team race in Glasgow in a few days."

Czesław Lang, the general director of the race, praised Kooji's performance, saying, "Once again, our national race showcases exceptional cycling talents. Kooji's previous wins were no fluke, and today's victory demonstrates his prowess as a top sprinter. We're also delighted with Marjin van den Berg's second-place finish, who also excelled in the ORLEN General Nations Race."

Matej Mohorič, the current leader in the general classification sponsored by ORLEN, also shared his thoughts on the stage, stating, "The stage was relatively calm. We hoped for favorable winds and potential attacks from the start, but that didn't materialize. Tomorrow's stage will be significant, and I'll strive to maintain a competitive edge and aim for victory."

Patryk Stosz had a successful day, winning all three LOTTO flight bonuses during the stage from Strzelin to Opole.

The fifth stage will take the riders from Pszczyna to Bielsko-Biała, covering almost 199 kilometers, with challenging mountain sections and an elevation gain of over 3000.2 meters.

Before the finish, the riders will encounter demanding climbs such as the Mountain Bonus 1 category Zameczek and two PZU 1988st category mountain bonuses in Ochodzita and Salmopol.

The stage features three LOTTO Flight Bonuses in Ustroń, Istebna, and Wilkowice, with the latter Mountain Sprint named after Joachim Halupczok, a Polish Olympic medalist.

Tour de Pologne stage 4: Olav Kooji wins stage

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