Paul Lapeira clinches Tour de Pologne uphill finish stage victory, defying odds against pre-race frontrunners
Paul Lapeira Claims Second WorldTour Victory at Tour de Pologne
Paul Lapeira, a French rider, secured a hard-fought victory at the second stage of the 2025 Tour de Pologne, marking his second WorldTour win and sixth overall victory. The stage, a grueling three-kilometer, 6.7% ascent in Karpacz, south-west Poland, saw Lapeira outperform Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek) and Victor Langelotti (Ineos Grenadiers) to take the prestigious yellow jersey.
Lapeira's victory was a result of a tactically brilliant uphill sprint. He patiently stayed with the leading group before launching a decisive attack with about 150 meters to go, opening a gap that secured the stage win and the overall lead by six seconds. The win was a significant achievement, not only for Lapeira but also for his team, Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, who did an excellent job to get him up in the final.
Following his victory, Lapeira made a circling gesture with his hands around his ears and punched one fist in the air as his victory salute. However, the nature of this gesture remains unclear, as there is no documented information about a distinctive or unusual celebration connected to his win at the Tour de Pologne in 2025.
With his victory, Lapeira netted his first-ever stage race lead. Currently, he has an 8-second advantage overall in the Tour de Pologne. Lapeira aims to gain more time on Wednesday's hilly run through south-west Poland to maintain his lead. Despite his uncertainty about the gap he created with his final acceleration in stage 2, Lapeira felt great about his win, considering it a success for him and his team.
Lapeira's first victory was a stage of Itzulia Basque Country in April 2024. His victory at the Tour de Pologne has propelled him into the race lead, and he is confident that his team will do everything they can to defend his lead in the remaining stages of the race.
In the wake of his victory, Lapeira's confidence is evident. He is determined to hold onto his lead and continue his winning streak in the Tour de Pologne. As the race progresses, all eyes will be on Lapeira and his team as they strive to maintain his lead and secure his second consecutive WorldTour victory.
Sports enthusiasts are excited about Paul Lapeira's triumph at the Tour de Pologne, as it marks his second WorldTour victory and his first-ever stage race lead. Lapeira's team, Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, will now focus on helping him maintain his lead and secure another WorldTour victory in the remaining stages of the race.
