Katowice welcomed the bunch for the ninth consecutive year.
For the second straight day, Alvaro Hodeg concluded runner-up at the Tour de Pologne, this time after the sprint trains – who have long fought for positioning after catching the five-man breakaway – got derailed by a late attacked launched by two riders as the peloton was entering the closing kilometer, one featuring several corners and a downhill finishing straight.
Danish Champion Michael Mørkøv, who was leading Alvaro at the moment the bunch split, found himself at the front together with three other riders and had nothing to do than open his sprint, in an attempt to take advantage of the chaos that ensued, but the effort he put in up until that point took its toll eventually, as from behind, race leader Pascal Ackermann (Bora-hansgrohe) launched his acceleration, cut across the road with Hodeg on his wheel and overhauled the men in the front to take the win.
Alvaro came over the line in second and notched up Quick-Step Floors' 54th World Tour podium of the season, one that puts our squad's first place in the team classification beyond reach for the next two weeks: "The final was really crazy! When the two Polish riders attacked and Michael went with them, I waited in the pack in case it came back together, which it did. The guys were great once again and I was hoping to reward them with a victory, but unfortunately I faced a stronger opponent. Of course I am disappointed, but I will look to draw motivation from this defeat."
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele/ Getty Images
