RACE AROUND POLAND - DAY 12 - REPORT 1

Yesterday, just before midnight, Kamil "Cyklokot" Kotkowski (POL) crossed the finish line, taking 8th place in the M50- category. Kamil completed the Race Around Poland loop for the third time (previously in the 2022 and 2023 editions).

Four hours later, David Jindra (CZE) arrived in Obórki, taking 9th place in the M50- category, and Stanislav Růžička (CZE), taking 7th place in the M50+ category.

At 4:33 AM, Jacek Zieliński (4ergo) (POL) entered, taking 8th place in the M50+ category. Jacek completed the RAP Challenge 300km two years ago.

The night and morning were filled with heavy rain in Podlasie and Mazovia, effectively slowing down the riders on the final two stages – from CP10 Hotelik Gołdap to CP11 Narewka and from CP11 to the finish line.

Krzysztof Florczak (POL) and Tilo Arnhold (DEU) were once again battling against the clock and the approaching time limit. At 6 a.m., their mission looked seriously threatened. Streams of water were falling from the sky, and the average required speed to the Narewka CP was over 25 km/h. Both were pushing forward bravely.

However, in Grzybowszczyzna, near the wall on the border with Belarus, a REAR technical vehicle caught up with Krzysztof, who was sitting at a bus stop. He no longer had the strength or a piece of dry clothing to maintain a suitable pace to the Narewka CP, 70 kilometers away.

Tilo, on the other hand, was racing as if he had just mounted his bike. The rain and the passing minutes seemed to give him wings. The bike, heavy with luggage, glided along the road at a pace of 30 km/h. Tilo was clad in rain gear, which effectively protected him from hypothermia. The final 10 kilometers were filled with pendulums and gravel at a road construction site. Even this didn't stop the German from earning a comfortable time. He practically "swimmed" into the Kayak Station in Narewka in the gushing water, 8 minutes and 2 seconds ahead of the time limit, which here was 264 hours. Clockwork precision!

Now both warriors are sleeping, fed by the brave women of the Narewka Commune, who take care of the arriving cyclists day and night for six days.

At 3 p.m., Tilo will be awakened to set off on the final stretch of his epic journey. Although it's not over yet, his story is undoubtedly one of the most interesting in the five-year history of the race and deserves a separate post.

One female and five male riders remain on the course.

We invite you to greet the riders at the finish line in Obórki or Royal Wilanów (30 minutes later).

The dotwatching link can be found at www.racearoundpoland.pl.

Photo: Zbigniew Myśliński