photo credits @ ToP
Fans were treated to huge excitement in stage 6 of the Tour de Pologne, with all signs pointing to Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) taking the win, but in the final meters he was overtaken by Victor Langellotti (INEOS Grenadiers). The rider from Monaco also became the new leader of the ORLEN General Classification.
Today’s “queen” stage led riders along a demanding route from BUKOVINA Resort to Bukowina Tatrzańska. The battle unfolded over three laps featuring climbs up the Harnaś Wall in Rzepiska and the BUKOVINA Wall in Gliczarów, both classified as category 1 PZU Mountain Primes. The last of these on the third lap was dedicated to Joachim Halupczok, former world champion and Olympic silver medallist.
The route also featured two LOTTO Sprint Primes – in Szaflary and Biały Dunajec – and the Soudal Special Prime in Rzepiska. The uphill finish in Bukowina Tatrzańska was perfectly suited to climbing specialists.
Once again, many riders tried to break away from the peloton, but it wasn’t easy. Shortly after the start, the field hit the Harnaś Wall, won by the dominant PZU Best Climber Classification leader, Timo Kielich (Alpecin-Deceuninck). A nine-rider move formed at the front: Olav Kooij, Matthew Brennan (Team Visma | Lease a Bike), Timo Kielich (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Enzo Paleni (Groupama-FDJ), Lorenzo Milesi (Movistar Team), Paul Magnier (T-Rex Quick-Step), Reuben Thompson (Lotto), Chris Hamilton(Team Picnic PostNL) and Nadav Raisberg (Israel-Premier Tech).
From the peloton, Marijn van den Berg and Colby Simmons (EF Education-EasyPost) bridged across, while UAE Team Emirates-XRG set the pace behind. On the following KOM and sprint points – PZU Mountain Prime on the BUKOVINA Wall, LOTTO Sprint Prime in Szaflary, and the Harnaś Wall PZU Mountain Prime – Timo Kielich again came out on top, with Chris Hamilton winning the second BUKOVINA Wall PZU Mountain Prime.
The main group began closing in on the break, from which Colby Simmons attacked. On the final ascent of the Harnaś Wall, Bahrain Victorious lifted the pace and Rafał Majka (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) attacked, reeling in the break and splitting the peloton. Among those distanced was race leader Paul Lapeira (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale).
The last Harnaś Wall PZU Mountain Prime was taken by Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious), after which Quinten Hermans (Alpecin-Deceuninck) surged clear to claim the Soudal Special Prime in Rzepiska. Following the descent, a large front group reformed, including Lapeira, who managed to rejoin.
Lapeira was dropped for good on the final BUKOVINA Wall PZU Mountain Prime, dedicated to Joachim Halupczok, as Majka again drove the pace. Earlier, on the LOTTO Sprint Prime in Biały Dunajec, Brandon McNulty took 3 bonus seconds ahead of Tiberi and teammate Jan Christen.
McNulty and Tiberi played key roles on the final climb, attacking with Filippo Zana (Team Jayco AlUla). After Tiberi won the PZU Mountain Prime, more riders joined, forming a 16-man lead group with Majka setting a fierce tempo.
With 10 km to go, Rudy Molard (Groupama-FDJ) attacked, chased by Hermans. Once caught, Jan Christen tried his luck but couldn’t get clear. Ahead of the final ramp, Majka again took the front, setting up another Christen move. When the Swiss was caught, McNulty launched a strong attack.
It looked like the American had the win sewn up, but in the final metres Victor Langellotti (INEOS Grenadiers) surged past to take victory. Brandon McNulty finished second, with Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious) crossing 7 seconds later. Langellotti now leads the ORLEN General Classification by 7 seconds over McNulty ahead of tomorrow’s time trial at the Wieliczka Salt Mine.
“I knew this climb and I knew I had to wait until the last 500 meters because that’s where it got really steep. I knew I’d be strong there and, even though Brandon was far ahead, I felt confident and waited for the right moment. I went 100% and I’m very happy I won. Tomorrow it will be very hard to keep the jersey – Brandon McNulty is a great time trialist and it’s going to be a big fight. Today I’ll enjoy the victory, and tomorrow I’ll give everything to defend the lead” said Victor Langellotti. INEOS Grenadiers team started today’s stage without Michał Kwiatkowski and Magnus Sheffield, both struggling with health issues. “It was a very tough day. When we saw in the morning that Kwiato and Magnus were sick and had to pull out – that was hard. Despite that, we didn’t give up, the guys did an incredible job, and without them this wouldn’t have been possible. I’m very grateful for that” Langellotti said, after beating Brandon McNulty in the finale.
“Of course, you always want to win a stage, but for me it was also important to stay close to the leaders ahead of tomorrow. Today went better than I expected. The whole day was really tough, and the climbs were very steep. With 700 meters to go I tried, but unfortunately the INEOS rider passed me – still, it was a good day. I’m excited for the time trial because it’s my specialty. I can’t wait” commented Brandon McNulty.
The leader of the PZU King of the Mountains classification is Timo Kielich (Alpecin–Deceuninck), who was also part of the day’s breakaway.
“The best plan was to score points for the mountains classification right from the start, because then I was sure I’d keep the jersey. When I came here, I had some doubts about my form, so I’m glad I found good legs by getting into the breakaways. I think after this week my form will go up” Kielich said. “I was surprised by how many fans were along the route, especially on the final climb where there were huge crowds. I’m happy I could fight for the jersey” he added.
The blue LOTTO Most Active Rider jersey remains with Patryk Stosz (Polish National Team), while Ben Turner (INEOS Grenadiers) still leads the Lang Team Points Classification. The best-ranked Pole on the stage – and the winner of the ORLEN VITAY Best Polish Rider prize – was Rafał Majka, who finished ninth.
“We didn’t win the stage today, but there’s still a chance to win the whole race. Cycling is a team sport – and without boasting, I knew what to do to make sure the guys rode their best. On the Harnaś Wall I had a problem because my chain dropped, so I had to chase the group and I paid for it a bit. I’m happy I can still bring joy to Polish fans, and as a 36-year-old I’m still up there at the front,” said Rafał Majka after the finish. The Polish rider and former Tour de Pologne winner was also praised by Brandon McNulty: “Majka is one of the best riders you can have helping you, so riding with him is always a great pleasure” he admitted.
The Tour de Pologne will finish tomorrow with an individual time trial starting and finishing at the Wieliczka Salt Mine.
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