Czech Tour to Feature Local Climber and Tour de France Stage Winner

Jan Hirt heads into the upcoming Czech Tour as the most experienced Czech rider at the highest level of professional cycling, according to team and race announcements. The 35-year-old NSN rider has started 17 Grand Tours over his career, securing his greatest success at the Giro d’Italia where he won a stage and finished sixth overall four years ago.

Czech Tour Elevates Status in UCI ProSeries

The Czech Tour operates for the first time in the UCI ProSeries category, marking the second-highest level of the global cycling calendar. Spanning four stages from August 13 to August 16, the race opens with a sprinter-friendly route from Prague to Karlovy Vary, mirroring last year’s opening leg. Stage two takes riders from Mladá Boleslav to Ještěd, followed by a third day racing from Pardubice to Dlouhé Stráně. The finale returns to the route from Kroměříže to the summit of Pustevny.

International Contenders and Grand Tour Prep

For Hirt, the domestic race serves as essential preparation for the upcoming Vuelta a España, returning to the Czech Tour for the first time since placing eleventh four years ago. Alongside the local favorite, TotalEnergies rider Anthony Turgis joins the peloton.

Additional international strength comes via the Netcompany Ineos team, anticipated to field 32-year-old Australian Jack Haig as team leader. Thirty-eight-year-old British matador Ben Swift is also scheduled to start, bringing further WorldTour depth to the Czech event.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Czech Tour take place?

The four-stage race runs from August 13 to August 16.

What classification is the Czech Tour this year?

The race runs in the UCI ProSeries category for the first time, placing it on the second-highest tier of the global cycling calendar.

Where does the race finish?

The final stage runs from Kroměříže to the summit of Pustevny.

What are your expectations for Jan Hirt at the upcoming Czech Tour and the Vuelta a España? Drop a comment below and share your thoughts with other cycling fans!