L’Étape Poland – A Historic Debut in Zakopane
More than 500 riders, Tour de France atmosphere, and a mountain course that challenged even the toughest. The first-ever L’Étape Poland was a celebration of amateur cycling at its best!
On May 11, 2025, the legendary Tour de France brand arrived in Poland for the very first time. L’Étape Poland by Tour de France presented by Plusssz transformed Zakopane into the heart of the amateur cycling world, with over 500 participants from Poland, across Europe, and beyond – including a rider all the way from Colombia.
Riders tackled one of two routes – The Race (75 km) or The Ride (45 km) – winding through the stunning Podhale region. But the beauty came with a challenge: technical descents, demanding climbs, and a final ascent with nearly 20% gradient tested every rider’s will and strength. The reward? A triumphant finish on top of Gubałówka and memories to last a lifetime.
Adding to the atmosphere was Didi the Devil, the iconic Tour de France figure who cheered on every rider along the course. The route was lined with enthusiastic spectators whose energy made all the difference.
In The Race category, the fastest were Marcin Karbowy (1:56:43) and Sandra Adamczyk-Stępień (2:12:46). The Ride winners were Gabriel Girau Tur (1:12:14) and Agata Sadowska (1:30:57).
Backed by the experienced team behind L’Étape Slovakia and L’Étape Dubai, the Polish edition was praised for its professional organization and smooth execution – with no incidents reported on course thanks to the support of local authorities and partners.
As the event wrapped up, the organizers confirmed: L’Étape Poland will return to Zakopane in 2026. Whether you were there for the first edition or plan to join the next, the magic of the Tour de France in the Polish mountains is an experience not to be missed.
