Tour of Armenia opens with Michal Pomorski winning first stage

Polish cyclist Michal Pomorski of Czech team ATT Investments won the opening stage of the inaugural Tour of Armenia international multi-stage cycling race on Thursday.

Pomorski completed the 135-kilometer Gavar–Mets Masrik route in 2 hours, 34 minutes and 47 seconds, recording an average speed of 52.331 kilometers per hour.

The Tour of Armenia is part of the UCI Europe Tour calendar. The four-stage race is being held in Armenia from September 10 to 13.

The opening stage saw an intense battle from the start, with a group of 20 riders breaking away and quickly building a substantial lead.

With 13.5 kilometers remaining, Australian cyclist Fletcher Medway of Netcompany INEOS Racing Academy attacked on a downhill section, taking Pomorski and Swiss rider Alexandre Balmer of Solution Tech NIPPO Rali with him.

The three riders remained together until the final kilometer before battling for the stage victory. Pomorski, 23, pulled ahead at the finish in Mets Masrik to win the stage and take the red jersey as the overall classification leader. He also claimed the orange jersey as the points classification leader.

Medway finished second and was awarded the white jersey as the best young rider.

The main peloton crossed the finish line more than 10 minutes behind the leading group, giving the opening stage a significant impact on the overall standings.

Opening-stage results, Gavar–Mets Masrik

Michal Pomorski (ATT Investments) — 135 km, 2:34:47, 52.331 km/h average speed (10-second time bonus)

Fletcher Medway (Netcompany INEOS Racing Academy) — same time (6-second time bonus)

Alexandre Balmer (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali) — same time (4-second time bonus)

Overall classification

Michal Pomorski (ATT Investments) — 2:34:47

Fletcher Medway (Netcompany INEOS Racing Academy) — 4 seconds behind

Alexandre Balmer (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali) — 6 seconds behind.

After the stage, Pomorski said the race had been particularly difficult because of the altitude.

“It was really tough today. Because of the altitude, it was difficult to breathe, and we gave everything from the start,” Pomorski said, according to a press release from the sports ministry. 

He added that five Polish riders had been in the leading group, including his ATT Investments teammate Tomasz Budziński. Pomorski said he had been targeting the stage victory while Budziński was aiming for a strong overall result.

Despite racing at an altitude of almost 2,000 meters above sea level, Pomorski said the stage was exceptionally fast.

“The last 20 kilometers seemed endless, but everything worked out well,” he said, adding that he was happy both with the victory and with taking the red jersey.

Pomorski said he would now try to help Budziński in the mountain stages.

The leaders of the race's different classifications will wear four jerseys designed by Italian cycling company Alé Cycling, incorporating Armenian symbols and cultural motifs.

The red jersey is awarded to the overall classification leader. It features the Armenian Eternity Sign on the front and a stylized map of Armenia on the back.

The blue jersey, awarded to the best climber, will come into play with the first mountain sections on Friday. Its design is based on Mount Aragats, Armenia's highest peak at 4,090 meters.

The orange jersey is awarded to the points classification leader and features stylized waves symbolizing the speed and dynamics of modern cycling.

The traditional white jersey is awarded to the best young rider. Its design features Armenian carpet motifs representing national culture and identity, as well as the 13th-century Haghartsin Monastery on the back.