Pasmem Gór Świętokrzyskich was a

road cycling Road cycling is the most widespread form of cycling in which cyclists ride on paved roadways. It includes recreational, racing, commuting, and utility cycling. As users of the road, road cyclists are generally expected to obey the same laws a ...

race held in the

Świętokrzyskie Mountains The Świętokrzyskie Mountains (, ), often anglicized to Holy Cross Mountains, are a mountain range in central Poland, near the city of Kielce. The mountain range comprises several lesser ranges, the highest of which is Łysogóry (literally ...

in Poland during the years 1951–1956, 1959–1963, 1967–1985, 1987–1989, and 2002–2003. The race, first won by in 1951, played a significant role in developing and popularizing cycling in the Świętokrzyskie region. Held 35 times, it often served as a key test of form for Poland's national team cyclists before major international events, such as the

World Championships A world championship is generally an international competition open to elite competitors from around the world, representing their nations, and winning such an event will be considered the highest or near highest achievement in the sport, game ...

and

Summer Olympics The Summer Olympic Games, also known as the Summer Olympics or the Games of the Olympiad, is a major international multi-sport event normally held once every four years. The inaugural Games took place in 1896 in Athens, then part of the King ...

. The race attracted generations of Poland's top cyclists, including ,

Ryszard Szurkowski Ryszard Jan Szurkowski (12 January 1946 – 1 February 2021) was a Polish road bicycle racer, widely regarded as a legend of the sport in Poland. Career He was a silver medalist in the team trial at the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics, and also w ...

Stanisław Szozda Stanisław Szozda (25 September 1950 – 23 September 2013) was an elite Polish cyclist. He had his best achievements in the 100 km team time trial. In this event he won two silver medals at the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics, as well a ...

, Tadeusz Mytnik,

Czesław Lang Czesław Lang (born 17 May 1955) is a Polish former road racing cyclist. He was a bronze medalist at the 1977 UCI Road World Championships in San Cristóbal, Táchira, San Cristóbal and a silver medalist at the 1979 UCI Road World Championship ...

, and

Zbigniew Piątek Zbigniew Piątek (born 1 May 1966) is a Polish former road racing cyclist. He was active as an amateur from 1987 to 1993 and from 1994 to 2005 as a professional. He won many of the top races in Poland: the Tour de Pologne, Tour of Małopolska ...

Race history

Single-stage race (1951–1972)

The inaugural race, originally called the Nationwide Świętokrzyskie Cycling Race, took place on 19 August 1951. The route started in

Kielce Kielce (; ) is a city in south-central Poland and the capital of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. In 2021, it had 192,468 inhabitants. The city is in the middle of the Świętokrzyskie Mountains (Holy Cross Mountains), on the banks of the Silnic ...

, passed through

Końskie Końskie () is a town in south-central Poland with 20,328 inhabitants (2008), situated in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. Historically, Końskie belongs to the province of Lesser Poland, and since its foundation, until 1795 (see Partitions of P ...

and

Skarżysko-Kamienna Skarżysko-Kamienna () is a city in northern Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship in south-central Poland by Kamienna (river), Kamienna river, to the north of Świętokrzyskie Mountains; one of the voivodship's major cities. Prior to 1928, it bore the name ...

, and finished at the Kielce stadium on Ściegiennego Street. , representing , won by gaining an advantage near

Zagnańsk Zagnańsk is a village in Kielce County, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, in south-central Poland. It is the seat of the gmina (administrative district) called Gmina Zagnańsk. It lies approximately north of the regional capital Kielce Kielce (; ...

. Three hours later, cyclists competed in an Australian pursuit race at the Gwardia Kielce stadium, watched by approximately 3,000 spectators. In 1952, , early in his career, won, narrowly beating his cousin . Harsh weather and a poorly prepared early section meant only 17 of 53 cyclists finished. Królak won again in 1955, but in 1956, he lost a sprint finish to

Marian Więckowski Marian Więckowski (8 September 1933 – 17 July 2020) was a Polish racing cyclist. On 28 August 1972, the 17th edition saw of

Piast Gliwice Gliwicki Klub Sportowy Piast Gliwice () is a Polish professional football club based in Gliwice. In the 2018–19 season, Piast won its first Polish championship. As of 2025–26, it competes in the Ekstraklasa, Poland's top division. Histo ...

win, though five others recorded the same time.

New format (1973–1989)

In 1973, the race was renamed the Grand Prix of the Świętokrzyskie Mountains and expanded to four stages, including a time trial and a criterium. The first race in the new format began with a surprise: Mieczysław Klimczyk of Świt Wolica won the time trial, beating

by 44 seconds. Szurkowski won the next two stages and, despite being outpaced by

in the final stage, claimed overall victory, receiving a porcelain trophy from Ćmielów. In 1974, the final stage saw multiple breakaways. A decisive move at 88 km involved seven riders, with ten more joining by 120 km. won the stage, followed by and Marian Nawrot, all with the same time. Stanisław Boniecki won the overall classification, beating Jan Baćkowski by seven seconds. Subsequent years saw victories by prominent Polish cyclists, including Tadeusz Mytnik (1975),

(1977), and Jan Jankiewicz (1980). The race typically comprised three or four stages, with the Kielce criterium being the most spectacular. In 1979, cyclists competed on the newly built in Miedziana Góra, with Jarosław Grodzki winning the first stage held there. In 1981, the race reverted to a single stage on Tor Kielce (104 km, 25 laps). Harsh weather and a demanding course meant only 14 of 64 starters finished. Zbigniew Szczepkowski won, outsprinting Czesław Lang and . In 1982, Sławomir Lewandowski secured victory with a solo breakaway in the final stage. Five pursuing riders took a wrong turn on Lenin Street, losing nearly a minute. The leader after three stages,

Lechosław Michalak Lechosław Michalak (born 22 September 1956) is a Polish former racing cyclist. He won the Tour de Pologne The Tour de Pologne (; ), officially abbreviated TdP, is an annual, professional men's Race stage, multiple-stage cycle sport, bi ...

, finished later, dropping to second overall. Other winners in the 1980s included (1984), Andrzej Mierzejewski (1985, 1987), and

Jacek Bodyk Jacek Bodyk (born 12 June 1966) is a Polish former cyclist. He competed in the road race at the 1988 Summer Olympics. Palmares ;1987 :1st Stage 9 Tour de Pologne ;1988 :1st Stage 4 Tour de Pologne ;1989 :1st Stages 1 & 2 Tour de Pologne ...

(1989).

Race revival (2002–2003)

In 2002, Świętokrzyskie Cycling Association president revived the race.

won, narrowly beating Kazimierz Stafiej after both chose not to sprint, but judges awarded Piątek the victory by centimeters. In 2003, the 35th edition was won by

Wojciech Pawłak Wojciech Pawłak (born 31 October 1969) is a Polish former professional road cyclist. He competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics and the 1992 Summer Olympics. Major results ;1998 : 8th Overall Course de Solidarność et des Champions Olympiques ; ...

, who outsprinted breakaway companions, including

Łukasz Bodnar Łukasz Bodnar (born 10 May 1982) is a Polish former road bicycle racer, who competed professionally between 2003 and 2016 for the , , , and teams. He is the brother of fellow racing cyclist Maciej Bodnar. Major results ;2000 : 3rd Time trial, ...

Results

References

Bibliography

* {{Cite book , last1=Michniak , first1=M. , last2=Pawłowski , first2=A. , title=Cykliści z Gór Świętokrzyskich , trans-title=Cyclists from the Świętokrzyskie Mountains , year=2000 , publisher=Słowo Kibica , location=Kielce , isbn=83-909812-3-8 , language=pl , ref={{sfnref, Michniak, Pawłowski, 2000 Sport in Kielce Cycle races in Poland