Before the Saturday episode around Bukowina Tatrzańska, it was known that the stage could determine the fate of the general classification before Sunday's individual time. Cyclists were waiting for six mountain bonuses of the first PZU category, arranged on the walls of Harnaś and Bukovina, and the finish line was designated in a steep driveway in Bukowina.
The first dozen or so kilometers was marked by trials of escape. Finally, a group of 11 players broke away from the peloton, including The leader of the Timo Kielich and Chris Hamilton mountain classification, losing only 32 seconds to the Paul Lapeira race leader. Despite the efforts of the fugitives, they had no chance to win – the pace was dictated by the UAE Team Emirates riders, limiting the advantage to about one and a half minutes. The chalice, thanks to the winning of mountain bonuses, secured a triumph in this classification. In turn, Patryk Stosz won some lead in the most active classification, if he reached the end of the race.
Real emotions began at the last round. Rafał Majka on the wall of Harnaś imposed a strong pace that stretched the peloton and removed the leader Paul Paul Lapeira from the top. However, he quickly joined the main group of about 50 players. Shortly afterwards, only the 16 most dangerous players remained in the peloton – without lakeira. On the wall of Bukovin, Majka turned up again, eliminating more rivals.
Conducting in the general classification
There were plenty of attacks at the congress, but the final group reached the driveway in Bukowina. There, Rafał Majka dictated the tempo, supporting his colleagues from the UAE Team Emirates. They attacked, among others Antonio Tiberi, Brandon McNulty and Matthew Riccitello. McNulty led the decisive move to the last 800 meters, but was surprised by the attack of Victor Langellotti, who unexpectedly jumped from behind his circle and reached for a stage victory.
Langellotti also took the lead in the general classification, overtaking McNulty by 7 seconds and Tiberi by 20 seconds. This opens an interesting chapter before Sunday individual driving on time, where the fate of this year's Tour de Pologne will eventually decide. The best of the Poles, Rafał Majka, finished the 9th position, showing an excellent form at difficult mountain stages.
