Stage 3 of the 2026 Tour de Pologne covers 193.5 km from Gorzów Wielkopolski to Zielona Góra over a hilly profile that concludes with a flat finish. The terrain will favour punchy all-rounders and climbers who can survive the hills before a sprint or small-group dash to the line. As a 2.UWT event, the field is stacked with WorldTour talent targeting early stage glory before bigger late-season goals.
★★★★
Top Favorite
João Almeida stands alone at the top of this preview. His Hills rating of 78 is joint-highest in the startlist, he brings a Climbing score of 80 and TT of 76, and his Legendary card reflects his consistent ability to perform at the highest level. UAE Emirates will ride to support him and he is the man to beat on Stage 3.
UAE Emirates
UAE Emirates
João Almeida leads the startlist with a Hills rating of 78 and boasts elite all-round stats including Climbing 80 and TT 76. As a Legendary-rated UAE Emirates leader heading to La Vuelta, he arrives in peak form and is the clear pre-stage favorite.
★★★
Strong Contenders
Andrea Bagioli and Neilson Powless are the two most compelling challengers. Bagioli's recent form is the best of any contender — a win and two podiums from seven hills-profile races in 90 days — while Powless earned a win and podium from only three similar outings. Both carry Hills ratings of 76–77 and are fully committed to this race.
Lidl-Trek
Lidl-Trek
Andrea Bagioli posts a Hills score of 77 and is the standout form rider in this field, averaging 12.3 in similar-profile races over the last 90 days with a win and two podiums from seven starts. Lidl-Trek's designated attacker for hilly finales, he is a genuine podium threat.
EF - EasyPost
EF - EasyPost
Neilson Powless combines a Hills rating of 76 with excellent recent form: a win and podium from just three similar-profile races, averaging 21.7. The EF-EasyPost climber thrives on hilly terrain with a flat finale and arrives with confirmed Tour de Pologne as a target.
★★
Dark Horses
Schachmann, Buitrago, and Fisher-Black all have the profile to disrupt the favorites. Schachmann is a proven stage-race hunter with Soudal Quick-Step support, Buitrago's Climbing of 77 makes him a threat on the day's harder sections, and Fisher-Black's top-2 result in similar terrain shows his ceiling is high. Any of the three could land on the podium.
Red Bull - BORA
Red Bull - BORA
Finn Fisher-Black averages 29.8 across six similar-profile races but has a best result of 2nd and earned a podium in this 90-day window. With a Hills rating of 76 and confirmed World Championships road race ahead, Red Bull-BORA will back him as a stage hunter.
Soudal Quick-Step
Soudal Quick-Step
Maximilian Schachmann brings a Hills score of 77 and strong TT legs (76), making him dangerous on a hilly stage that rewards punchy all-rounders. Soudal Quick-Step confirm the Tour de Pologne as an upcoming goal and he is a perennial classics-style stage hunter.
Bahrain Victorious
Bahrain Victorious
Santiago Buitrago rates 77 for Hills and 77 for Climbing, making him one of the best climbers in this field. Bahrain Victorious have confirmed Tour de Pologne as a target race and Buitrago's punchy uphill finishing style suits the profile well.
★
Ones to Watch
Scaroni, Laurance, Lapeira, and Jan Christen round out the selections as riders with genuine upside but less certainty. Scaroni's consistency across ten races, Laurance's sprint edge for a flat finish, Lapeira's podium result in similar terrain, and Christen's elite Hills rating of 78 all give them paths to a top result. They are worth monitoring in CycloDraft given their accessible rarity levels.
INEOS Grenadiers
INEOS Grenadiers
Axel Laurance has a Hills score of 77 and the highest Sprint stat (73) among the top-rated hilly riders, making him dangerous if a small group contests the flat finish. He has two top-10s in similar-profile races in the past 90 days and heads to La Vuelta next, suggesting good form.
XDS Astana
XDS Astana
Christian Scaroni posts a Hills rating of 77 and has shown consistency in similar terrain, averaging 32.3 across ten races with a best of 3rd and six top-10s. XDS Astana confirm Tour de Pologne as his upcoming race and he could spring a surprise on a day that suits punchy climbers.
UAE Emirates
UAE Emirates
Jan Christen matches the top Hills rating of 78 alongside Almeida and Barré, and his confirmed schedule — Tour de Pologne, Bretagne Classic, Il Lombardia — marks him as a rising classics-style talent. At Epic rarity with solid TT (73) backing, he is a credible dark horse for UAE Emirates.
Decathlon CMA CGM
Decathlon CMA CGM
Paul Lapeira rates 76 for Hills and recorded a podium finish (3rd) among five similar-profile races this season, averaging 21.2. Decathlon CMA CGM confirm Tour de Pologne as a target and the Frenchman has shown he can produce on terrain like this.
Verdict
João Almeida is the clear favorite, combining the joint-highest Hills rating in the field with elite climbing credentials and Legendary status. Andrea Bagioli and Neilson Powless are the primary threats, both in sharp recent form on similar terrain.