160km between Tarnow and Bukovina Resort feels like a short stage compared to the first 3 stages. This stage is a standard feature in Tour de Pologne, but it was a little “easier” with less elevation this year. Nonetheless, it still proved to be a hard stage.
As in the last 3 days, there was an early breakaway with 4 people, and their lead was 4 min max, meaning the peloton controlled them. Quickstep, Ineos and Bahrain Victorious kept the pace, Kevin Inkelaar and Marcel Sieberg pulling from our side the most. Breakaway was pulled back inside the last 10km, and on the last climb, few attacks happen. None of them succeeds, and the race was decided in the reduced sprint between GC riders. Yellow jersey wearer Joao Almeida won on the line in front of Matej Mohorič.
SD Tim Harris: “Today was semi-mountainous day, so the plan was to secure the position of Matej Mohorič and Dylan Teuns and try to get a stage win with either one of those two. The early break went by, and we were one of the teams controlling it. The real race began in the last 20 km, and quite a big group came together to the line; Matej was super strong, Dylan was super good, but Almeida was just a little stronger than Matej. Matej did say that he was beaten by a better rider this time. Anyway, this leaves us in a nice position for the last 3 days coming. Matej is still 2nd, while Dylan is 6th. Tomorrow is a mountainous day with 3 first category climbs. It will be a tricky day with lots of strong teams attacking, but I think we are in a good position for tomorrow, which will set up a time trial the day after. The team also rode very well today: everyone on the team contributed, we are delighted how things are going, and the spirit among the team is excellent.”
Matej Mohorič described the race: “Today was another opportunity for us to go for a stage win. The team did a great job controlling the breakaway, pulling in front the whole day and working for us. Dylan Teuns, in the final, managed to close the gap to Honoré, who attacked in the last 2km. If he didn’t help me, Honoré would be close to stealing the stage win, so thanks to Dylan, we got back, and I could make the sprint. Joao Almeida attacked quite far out, so I thought it would be a perfect lead-out, but then he stopped when he saw me following; I had no other choice but to open up my sprint. Unfortunately, Almeida was strong enough to get on my tail and pass me just before the finish line. Hats off to him. I hope I can finally win a stage tomorrow.”
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