The route book for this year's Tour de Pollogne was accompanied by an unexpected gift for the riders and race followers. Yellow and blue wristbands, the colors of the Ukrainian flag.

While many members of the organization and the peloton now wear wristbands during the seven-day race, the Tour de Pollogne's (open in new tab) show of support for Ukraine runs much deeper.

Five of the seven stages from Saturday through Wednesday are intentionally designed to run close to Ukraine, passing through eastern and southern Ukraine. Monday's finish, Přemysl, is 15 km from the Ukrainian border.

While some in the cycling community continue to insist that sport and politics should not mix, the Tour de Pologne's clear solidarity with Ukraine can count on some very powerful allies.

EF Education-EasyPost's Mark Padun is the only Ukrainian rider in this year's Tour de Pollogne peloton, and he is very grateful for all the support for his country.

"The honorary patron of the Tour de Pollogne, Polish President Andrei Duda, wrote in the preface to the 20022 route book, "The motto of this year's race is 'Race for Peace'."

"Russia's brutal aggression against a sovereign and independent Ukraine continues just behind our eastern border. Russian forces are committing war crimes that have the hallmarks of genocide. People are dying in shelled and bombed cities, children are dying, athletes are dying."

Duda thanked Poronia for its support, not only "for the idea of peace" but also "to show solidarity with Ukrainians who are fighting for freedom."

"In the first weeks of the war, most refugees made their way precisely to cities and towns such as Lublin, Chelm, Zamosc, Krasnik, Przemysl, Lesko, Sanok, Rankut, Rzeszow," he explained, the start of the opening five stage finish towns.

"May the race between these cities be a great gesture of remembrance of the cities destroyed in Ukraine by the barbaric Russian invasion."

Padun is greatly appreciative of all the support for his country.

"I saw in the route book a bracelet with the Ukrainian flag on it and when I checked the southern part of the route I saw a stage close to the border.

Padun not only appreciates the geographical connection, but also has a direct personal connection.

"For example, the finishing city of stage 2, Zamosc, is where I raced and I lived there for a week while the race was on, so I know the area well," he explains.

"So apart from the support and the gesture, I am also happy to have fond memories of my youth."

Padun says he neither wanted to participate in this year's Tour de Pollogne nor was he ordered to do so by the team. Being from a neighboring country, he just wants to race in Poland whenever possible.

"Nothing has changed since then. Poland was the first country I visited after Ukraine and I have nothing but good memories of it."

Padun divides his time between Andorra and Italy, but he is in constant contact with his relatives in Ukraine.

"Luckily, all my family and friends are safe and this is the most important thing for me right now," he said.

Padung admitted that he feels an emotional connection to this year's race.

"I want to be here," he reiterated, but his reason for participating was the same as any other athlete: "I want to win."

"I haven't raced in over a month, so I don't know exactly how my body will react. But I'm still confident and I want to do really well here."