Jan Christen goes on the attack at the Tour de Pologne

On stage 2 at the Tour de Pologne, Jan Christen made a bold attack with 400m of the final climb to go, before succumbing to fifth place over the line. It was not the result that the young Swiss rider had hoped for, but the UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider showed a fine display of aggression and now sits fourth overall as the race rumbles on.

After Monday’s stage showdown, stage 2 brought the first uphill finish of the race, with a 3.1km-long climb bringing proceedings to a close in Karpacz. It was on these tough slopes that the Emirati squad forced the pace, teeing up Christen’s acceleration some 400m from the line. His surge was ultimately made a little early, with Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale’s Paul Lapeira timing his move to perfection and taking the stage honours.

Nevertheless, Christen continued to show the strong form that delivered him to a runner-up spot at last weekend’s Clásica San Sebastián, whilst both Brandon McNulty and Rafał Majka finished inside the top 10 for UAE Team Emirates-XRG.

With their display, the trio of riders ensured that UAE Team Emirates-XRG would end the day at the top of the team classification. Holding a 14-second advantage over Bahrain Victorious, Sports Director Manuele Mori led his riders, Julius Johansen, Filippo Baroncini and Majka to the podium at the end of the stage. To his credit, Majka’s presence was already required to collect his prize as the top Polish rider on the day.

Beginning each day to a fanfare of spectators gathered around the Emirati squad’s bus, Majka is determined to finish his final Tour de Pologne in style, as the Polish national road race champion. On the eve of the race, the 35-year-old announced that this season would be his last as a professional, bringing to a close an illustrious career both as a winner and as a teammate.

Spending the last five years of his career with UAE Team Emirates-XRG, Majka has found his calling as a trusted teammate of Tadej Pogačar, and more recently, Isaac del Toro. The man from Zegartowice helped Pogačar to his Tour de France title in 2021, before supporting Del Toro in his history-making Giro d’Italia earlier this year. In his time with the Emirati squad, Majka has won a stage of the Vuelta a España, two stages at the Tour of Slovenia, a memorable stage win at his home Tour de Pologne, and of course, his second national title earlier this season.

With three stage wins and two King of the Mountains classifications from the Tour de France also on his palmarès, the Polish rider will be fondly remembered for his tremendous climbing, selfless teamwork, and a warmth that can be felt on every start line he graces. But before he hangs up his cleats for good, the 35-year-old will continue to seek success with UAE Team Emirates-XRG in his home race.

Between Majka, McNulty and Christen, the Emirati squad is well placed heading into the five stages to come. Reflecting on his performance on Tuesday afternoon, Christen was keen to heap praise on his teammates and take the positives from his display.

Christen: “We had a good plan and the team did a super pace, an amazing job by all of the team in the last 20km. Then we set a hard pace, made the final super hard and in the end, I went a little bit too early and lost my legs in the last 100m. Some guys caught me and passed me, but the feeling was all in all good, and we are ready for the next days.

“For sure, now it is important to be attentive over the next days, go for the stages and try to catch as many seconds back as possible before the final TT.”

Tour de Pologne stage 2 results

1. Paul Lapeira (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) 3:29:58

2. Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek) +2″

3. Victor Langellotti (Ineos Grenadiers) s.t

5. Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) s.t

7. Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +4″

10. Rafał Majka (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) s.t

Tour de Pologne 2025 general classification after stage 2

1. Paul Lapeira (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) 7:56:24

2. Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek) +6″

3. Victor Langellotti (Ineos Grenadiers) +8″

4. Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +12″

6. Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +14″

9. Rafał Majka (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) s.t