Amateur cycling in Warsaw: Major weekend street closures and star-studded lineup
Warsaw will host the PZU Gran Fondo cycling event on August 22–23, featuring world-class stars alongside amateurs, while bringing significant traffic restrictions and transit changes to the capital....
Warsaw will host the PZU Gran Fondo cycling event on August 22–23, featuring world-class stars alongside amateurs, while bringing significant traffic restrictions and transit changes to the capital.
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PZU Gran Fondo weekend in Warsaw
On the weekend of August 22–23, Warsaw will become the capital of amateur cycling thanks to events from the PZU Gran Fondo series. The start and finish of all races will be located on the Świętokrzyski Bridge, while the competition village will be set up at Kahla Square.
Star-studded peloton and meet-and-greets
This year’s edition will feature an exceptionally strong lineup, as titled global cycling stars ride side by side with amateurs at the start. The peloton will include Rafał Majka, an Olympic medalist from Rio de Janeiro, former teammate of Tadej Pogačar, and stage winner in the Tour de France and Vuelta a España, as well as famous names such as Philippe Gilbert, Przemysław Niemiec, Jarosław Marycz, and Anna Szafraniec. Fans and participants will have the opportunity to meet the athletes in person on Saturday during the Gran Fondo Talks series at the competition village from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Schedule of weekend races
The sporting event will kick off on Saturday at 12:00 PM with the PZU Gran Fondo Kids race for the youngest participants on the boulevards near the Copernicus Science Centre. Meanwhile, Sunday will feature the main rides: starting at 7:30 AM, amateurs will compete in the Medio Fondo (approx. 85 km) and Gran Fondo (approx. 109 km) distances, while the Family Fondo 25 km family race will set off at 8:00 AM.
Traffic disruptions and public transport changes
The organization of the competition involves temporary disruptions on streets leading towards Sulejówek, including in Praga-Południe, Wawer, and Wesoła. The roadway of the Świętokrzyski Bridge towards Praga will be closed on Sunday from 3:00 AM to 8:00 PM, while other streets along the route, including sections of Wał Miedzeszyński, Bora-Komorowskiego, and Ostrobramska streets, will be closed in stages between 6:30 AM and 13:30 PM. Additionally, parking bans will take effect on designated sections starting Friday evening, and nearly 20 WTP bus lines will alter their routes, returning to their permanent paths from 12:30 PM.
