ORLEN Race of Nations. Stage 2 Winner: It was a great effort
I’m glad I made it to the last climb. It was a really nice effort from the whole team – said winner Lukas Nerurkar after stage two of the ORLEN Nations Race in Hungary. The leader of the race remained the Danish Nikolaj Mengele.
Portugal’s Antonio Morgado was second at the finish line on the 152-kilometre route, while Austria’s Aleksander Hajik was third. The highest ranked Pole was Kacper Smreczek, who crossed the finish line in third place.
“I’m glad I made it to the final climb because it was a really nice team effort. It was a really good race for us,” said the enthusiastic Nerocar.
– It was a demanding trail, which made the climb even more difficult. The rest of the stage was really cool and beautiful … – added the Briton.
Stage 1 winner Nikolaj Mengele crossed the finish line 41 seconds late and retained the leader’s jersey.
– I was relieved. The last climb was really tough, but I had a lot of help from my teammates. I am very happy with that. I tried to lose as little as possible and on Friday I will be ready to fight. Mengele said.
On Friday, the peloton will kick off in Slovakia, where another mountain stage is planned with a finish line in Štrbské Pleso.
For the first time, the ORLEN Race of Nations is being held in three countries in five stages: Hungary, Slovakia and Poland. 25 cycling teams from 22 countries are taking part in the competition, for example Hungary, Latvia, Portugal, Slovenia and the USA as well as three Polish teams invited by Team Lang: Lubelskie Perła Polski Cycling Team, GKS Cartusia in the Kartusi Cycling Atelier and Tarnovia Cycling Club.
The race takes place from May 24-28, the honorary sponsor of the event is PKN ORLEN. This year’s edition is the most numerous of all the curated editions to date. The U23 race expands its boundaries and becomes a global event.
