photo credits @ To
Peter Sagan and Zdenek Stybar once won in Cieszyn. Now, joining this elite group is Paul Magnier of T-Rex Gold Quick-Step, who triumphed in impressive style at the end of the demanding 4th stage of today’s Tour de Pologne. For the talented rider, it’s his first career victory at the UCI WorldTour level, while Paul Lapeira (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) retained the ORLEN General Classification lead.
Stage 4 took the riders along a scenic route from Rybnik to Cieszyn. The over-200-kilometer stage featured a LOTTO Sprint Prime in Jaworze, followed by three PZU Mountain Primes – at Przegibek Pass, Orle Gniazdo and Salmopol Pass. Riders also contested the DrWITT Special Prime in Wisła and the “35 Years of Impel Group” Special Prime in Ustroń.
The race concluded with laps in charming border town Cieszyn. The peloton passed through the market square, past the castle and along the Olza River, as well as the grounds of the Archduke Castle Brewery in Cieszyn – Partner of Stage 4 of the 82nd Tour de Pologne UCI WorldTour.
Today’s breakaway featured a Polish trio: national team riders Michał Pomorski and Paweł Bernas, along with Filip Maciejuk (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe). The riders contested the various primes prepared by the organizers. Michał Pomorski won the LOTTO Sprint Prime in Jaworze, Paweł Bernas took the PZU Mountain Prime on Przegibek Pass, while Filip Maciejuk claimed the climb to Orle Gniazdo. Meanwhile, Timo Kielich (Alpecin-Deceuninck), leader of the PZU Best Climber classification, was riding actively in the peloton, scoring valuable points by being the fastest up the categorized climbs.
Before Salmopol Pass, the Belgian bridged to the breakaway and took a full 10 points at the summit. Just before that, Michał Pomorski dropped from the lead group, and with 50 kilometres to go, Paweł Bernas returned to the peloton. Timo Kielich also won both Special Primes – DrWITT in Wisła and the “35 Years of Impel Group” in Ustroń. Soon after, Filip Maciejuk launched a solo attack, aiming to hold a 40-second advantage through the Cieszyn laps.
Cheered on by fans, Maciejuk maintained his lead for a while, but the peloton steadily closed the gap. On the second of four laps, Lorenzo Milesi (Movistar Team) joined the Pole and the duo continued together. The peloton was being driven by Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale with ORLEN General Classification leader Paul Lapeira, Bahrain Victorious and INEOS Grenadiers.
With just over 6 kilometres to go, Maciejuk and Milesi still led by 10 seconds. Their brave effort ended 3 km before the finish line. A grueling uphill sprint ensued, with Paul Magnier (T-Rex Quick-Step) emerging as the clear winner – his first ever UCI WorldTour stage win. Joining him on the stage podium were yesterday’s winner Ben Turner (INEOS Grenadiers) and Tim Torn Teutenberg (Lidl-Trek).
“We had to survive the climbs and handle the technical lap at the end with cobblestones and many corners. We played it perfectly as a team, and I’m happy I had good legs to finish it off. I’m very happy to take my first WorldTour win here, especially wearing the special T-Rex Gold Quick-Step jersey” said stage winner Paul Magnier.
For the second time in this Tour de Pologne, Stanisław Aniołkowski (Cofidis) finished in 6th place.
“I tried to stay near the front and I think I held a good position throughout. The final is always nervous, and contact with another rider disrupted my rhythm and reduced my speed. Unfortunately, that happened today and I had to sprint from behind. I had the strength and luck for 6th place again today” said Stanisław Aniołkowski, winner of the ORLEN VITAY Best Polish Rider Prime.
“The goal was to win the stage, and I thought the break would be bigger, but there were only three of us. I kept pushing to the end, but I started cramping and couldn’t take as many pulls with the Movistar rider. It’s a pity we didn’t manage to win the stage. Our goal now is to go for a win with Finn Fisher-Black, who is strong. There are still two tough mountain days and a time trial – we’ll try to make something happen” said Filip Maciejuk (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe).
Paul Lapeira (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) retained the ORLEN General Classification lead.
“It was a tough day, and I wasn’t even sure I’d start. But because of the yellow jersey, I wanted to try. In the end, it wasn’t so bad. My ribs hurt – I have a fracture – but my legs are still really good, so I’m happy to still be in yellow. I have to thank my team – they were all fantastic today and I’m very grateful” said Lapeira.
There were no changes in the LOTTO Most Active Rider Classification – Patryk Stosz (Polish National Team), who was in the break on the first two stages, still leads.
“It’s a well-organized race, here in Poland, and I always want to prepare well and show my best. Today was a ‘Polish day’ with Filip Maciejuk, Paweł Bernas and Michał Pomorski in the break – it looked good. I definitely want to try again tomorrow, but saying is one thing – if the legs aren’t there, there’s nothing I can do. I’ll fight to get in the breakaway” said Patryk Stosz.
Tomorrow’s stage runs from Katowice to Zakopane.
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