The next generation of elite riders will clash on the challenging course in the Jeseniky Mountains, including the legendary climb to Dlouhe Strane. In total, 22 national teams will compete in the Peace Race. It also includes a children's race on Saturday in Kouty nad Desnou.
"Another year has passed, and we can again look forward to an attractive duel among the world's cycling hopefuls. I expect racing at the highest level again, and I am curious to see which of the talents will shine in Jeseníky in the best form and become a star of the future. I would be very happy if a rider wearing the Czech colours would again be among the best," says Leopold Konig, Director of the Peace Race.
The leader of the Czech team could be 18-year-old Pavel Sumpik of the development team Picnic PostNL, which also includes another Czech talent, Pavel Bittner. The Czech national team also includes Tomas Pridal, Stepan Zahalka, Adam Bittman, Daniel Mraz and Vaclav Jezek.
The goal of the line-up is to have at least one of the national team members in the top 10 of the overall standings, or one stage win.
"I have been following the boys for a long time, we are in touch continuously, we communicate, and I believe that we have selected the best possible team for the peak of the season for this age category. I will be very happy to see them fighting for the top positions and hope, after a year’s break, we will return to the top 10," said Petr Kaltofen, the coach of the Czech team.
Although the peloton will ride through familiar venues, this year's race will be slightly different from last year's edition. The opening stage from Krnov to Šternberk is 168 km long and the cyclists will have to climb 2,571 metres. The second day will be the same as last year, from Unicov to Rymarov, the route is 19 km shorter.
The third, and the Queen’s stage, will take the peloton again to Dlouhe Strane, this year from Zabreh.
The final part will then lead in the opposite direction to last year, this time from Jesenik to Sumperk. In total, the peloton will cover 566 km with a cumulative elevation gain of almost 9,500 metres.
Konig added: "This year the peloton will go through traditional places on the newly designed stages. We appreciate the support of local governments and entire regions, because they all help us a lot to prepare the route and ensure an absolutely safe race, which is extremely important for us.
"We hope that as many spectators as possible will come to support the cyclists. At the same time, we commit to the minimum necessary traffic restrictions and to clean up after ourselves."
The Peace Race is part of the elite under-23 Nations Cup series, just like the French Tour de l'Avenir or the Orlen Nations Cup in Poland.
Its popularity is clearly evidenced by the fact that in 2018, the biggest cycling star of today, Tadej Pogacar, rode to the yellow jersey in Jeseniky and rivals of the Slovenian ace, Jonas Vingegaard and Julian Alaphilippe, have also competed for the top prizes here.
The race is a traditional precursor to the Czech Tour, the most prestigious stage race in the Czech Republic, which takes place from August 14th to 17th.
U23 Peace Race programme
Stage 1 - May 29th (start: 13:00 CET, finish: 17:03 - 17:29): Krnov - Sternberk (168km/2,552 vertical metres)
Stage 2 - May 30th (start: 13:30 CET, finish: 17:05 - 17:27): Unicov - Rymarov (149km/2,195 vertical metres)
Stage 3 - May 31st (start: 11:45 CET, finish: 14:55 - 15:15): Zabreh - Dlouhr strane (131km/2,847 vertical metres)
Stage 4 - June 1st (start: 11:00 CET, finish: 13:53 - 14:11): Jesenik - Sumperk (116km/1,883 vertical metres)