The young cyclist from Poznań mastered the final kilometers of the course. He was supported by his entire team. They rode the final straight at a breathtaking pace. On the shorter distances, the winners also battled until the very last meters.
Adrian Mrówka demonstrated impressive sprinting skills at the finish. The Walbet Team rider completed the 127-kilometer course in 3:04:34, with an average speed approaching 42 km/h.
In the final kilometers, it was just the three of us from Walbet Team. We decided to watch each other and take turns leading. The sprint was very fast from the start—almost kamikaze. A sharp turn and all-in risk. The whole course was very selective. We hoped to make a bigger selection along the route, but it turned out there were many strong riders, so in the end, we had to sprint hard.
Adrian Mrówka – winner of PZU Gran Fondo Gdynia
Indeed, the Gdynia stage of PZU Gran Fondo was demanding. Everyone at the finish line mentioned it. This includes the winner in the women’s category – Sonia Cięciel. Sonia, one of the top riders in the amateur peloton, competed only in Lublin and Gdynia this year. Today, she announced that in 2026 she will participate in all stages of the PZU Gran Fondo Series.
Next year I will plan my races so that I can be at every event in the Gran Fondo series. These are very well-organized, high-level cycling races. They are definitely worth attending.
Sonia Cięciel – winner of PZU Gran Fondo Gdynia in the women’s category
The racing was intense today also on the shorter distance – PZU Medio Fondo. Here too, the winner was decided in a group sprint. Piotr Krakowiak from Wieliszew was unbeatable with a time of 2:05:10.
I had a “horse day” today and I regret not riding the long distance. Yesterday we did a course recon and I knew right away that today would be my day. I was confident – I could have taken bets that I’d finish in the top 3.
Piotr Krakowiak – winner of PZU Medio Fondo Gdynia
The fastest woman on the 80-kilometer course was Milena Kołodziejczyk-Kotasińska. Ambassador of PZU Gran Fondo, she knew the route well, being a resident of Gdynia, and as she admitted at the finish, she had ridden it many times during her training. Today, she completed the course in 2:07:09.
Strong finish, but I left all my energy on the course. We had a great peloton where we worked together. The route was amazing. I didn’t miss any PZU Gran Fondo races at any location and I will definitely be at all of them in the next edition.
Milena Kołodziejczyk-Kotasińska – winner of PZU Medio Fondo Gdynia in the women’s category
Local government officials known for their love of cycling attended the Gdynia stage of PZU Gran Fondo Series, including the former and current mayors of Poznań – Ryszard Grobelny and Jacek Jaśkowiak. The Pomeranian Voivodeship was represented by Przemysław Dalecki – Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism and Sport at the Marshal’s Office of the Pomeranian Voivodeship.
Most importantly, the forecast predicting rain didn’t come true. The ride was super enjoyable, especially on a route closed to traffic and well secured – it’s a huge thrill.
Przemysław Dalecki – Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism and Sport at the Marshal’s Office of the Pomeranian Voivodeship
At the start of PZU Family Fondo today, a dozen or so participants lined up to cover 24 kilometers. Although the distance wasn’t long, the route still featured challenging climbs. The winner was 16-year-old Nikodem Paszke.
The hills really hit the legs right from the start. But the route was very enjoyable, without any potholes or bumps. It was a great cycling workout for me. My main discipline is triathlon.
Nikodem Paszke – winner of PZU Family Fondo Gdynia
The cycling weekend in Gdynia kicked off yesterday with the children’s races. The youngest competed over various distances in different age groups. Two-year-olds – usually on balance bikes – raced over 150 meters, while the oldest children, aged 11–12, competed over 3,200 meters.
Winners of the PZU Gran Fondo Kids categories:
2–4 years: Antoni Krakowiak – Gdynia
5–6 years: Eliza Kowalska – Gdańsk
7–8 years: Aleksander Strojny – Plewiska
9–10 years: Roksana Brunn – Tuchom
11–12 years: Aleks Kulik – Ząbki
Yesterday’s event also featured a meeting with an extraordinary individual – Andrea Pusateri – a Paralympic cyclist, ultra-triathlete, Ironman, motivational speaker, and creator of the “Beyond Limits” project, as well as a Zondacrypto ambassador. As a child, he lost a leg in a tragic accident. He did not give up, turning his experience into strength. Today, he inspires people around the world, showing that disability is not a limitation, but a source of power.
PZU Gran Fondo Gdynia concludes this year’s amateur cycling series. It began in Ełk and then visited Lublin and Poznań. In total, nearly 3,000 riders took part in the amateur classic. Marek Rutkiewicz – director of PZU Gran Fondo Series – emphasizes that Gran Fondo has already become a community.
I am very pleased that we managed to encourage such a large group of amateur cyclists to take part in races that were by no means easy. Considering the teamwork on the course, the thrilling sprint finishes, and the engagement of our ambassadors between races, I know we have built a community for whom Gran Fondo is not just about racing. It is an opportunity to meet and talk. This is where great friendships are born.
Marek Rutkiewicz – director of PZU Gran Fondo Series
This is supported by social initiatives that the organizers of PZU Gran Fondo have been running since the very beginning of the project. The first of these is “Cyclist-Friendly Place” – a network of cafés and bike shops where people can meet and spend time in an environment welcoming to cyclists.
The “Someone Is Waiting for Me at Home” campaign is also ongoing. Together with ambassadors Rita Malinkiewicz and Kasia Konwa, we continue to call for mutual respect between drivers and cyclists. We believe it can be normal and safe. Our races take place on roads closed to traffic, but cyclists’ training happens on streets with cars. Let’s remember safety so that we can meet again at the start of PZU Gran Fondo in 2026.
Maciej Stroiński – spokesperson PZU Gran Fondo Series
The PZU Gran Fondo series will return in the spring next year. Details regarding next year’s cycle will be presented soon.
The title sponsor of the event is PZU – the main sponsor is zondacrypto – sponsors are Activejet, Technogym, Cisowianka, 4Move, VW Commercial Vehicles – the event partner is the City of Gdynia.