Baltic Chain Tour 2026: Bogusławski and Kaczmarek Lead the Favorites

A stage race in the heart of the BalticsOn Thursday, August 20, 2026, the Baltic Chain Tour will start, a stage race of procontinental category that winds through the Baltic countries. The start location is indicated as EST, suggesting a route that touches Estonia and probably also Latvia and Lithuania, as is traditional for the race.No official data on total distance and elevation are available, but the race is historically suited to fast men and rouleurs, with stages often decided by the wind gusts that characterize the region.The expected protagonists at the startThe entry list includes 126 riders, with a mix of professional continental teams and national squads. Among the most experienced names stand out:Marceli Bogusławski (ATT Investments) – the Pole arrives with the status of number one favorite.Jakub Kaczmarek (Voster Team) – a consistent rider, suited to stage races.Martin Voltr (ATT Investments) – the most regular Czech in the group.Mārtiņš Pluto (Energus Cycling Team) – coming off a good placing in a criterium.Radosław Frątczak (Wibatech Lubelskie Perła Polski) – second in the Puchar MON.Among possible surprises, keep an eye on Rait Ärm (Energus), Kacper Majewski (Wibatech) and Kārlis Klismets (Energus), all capable of playing their cards in nervous finishes.This year's results of the big namesAnalyzing the seasonal history of the entrants, interesting data emerges:Marceli Bogusławski won the Puchar MON and got a notable placing at the Tour du Loir et Cher (result marked as stage race, so not necessarily overall victory).Jakub Kaczmarek was 5th in the Visegrad 4 Bicycle Race Grand Prix Poland, 10th in the GP Czech Republic, 4th in the Kryterium Asow Laguna Beskidów and finished 2nd in a stage of the Tour of Bosnia and Herzegovina.Martin Voltr collected a 5th place in the GP Slovakia, a 7th in the GP Poland, a 4th in the Kryterium Asów and a 6th in the Czech national championship (stage).Mārtiņš Pluto stepped onto the podium at the Kryterium Asow Laguna Beskidów with a 2nd place.Radosław Frątczak finished 2nd in the Puchar MON, just behind Bogusławski.Also noteworthy are the 3rd place of Rait Ärm at the Memoriał Andrzeja Trochanowskiego and the 2nd of Kacper Majewski at the Kryterium Asów – Beskid Classic. The Puchar MON is a Polish one-day race traditionally held on July 26, in memory of the Polish army — source: CyclingnewsThe favorites for the overall winBased on the data collected, the prediction for the general classification sees Marceli Bogusławski in pole position, thanks to his win in the Puchar MON and the solidity shown in the Tour du Loir et Cher. Just behind, Jakub Kaczmarek can aim for a prestigious placing thanks to his consistency in the Visegrad circuit races. Martin Voltr completes the ideal podium, as the most regular Czech in the race.But beware of the pitfalls of the wind and long-range breakaways: with 70 riders without history, the race could hold surprises. Teams like ATT Investments, Voster and Wibatech have the depth to control the race, but the Baltic Chain Tour is often unpredictable.