The Manxman concluded in the top 10 on the opening day of the World Tour race.
Mark Cavendish returned at the start of the Tour de Pologne, this time with the British National Champion jersey on his shoulders, which he proudly sported for the first time since conquering it at the end of June after a fantastic display on the undulating roads around Castle Douglas.
Traveling from Kielce to Lublin, which was visited by the race for the first time since 2009, the 218.8km stage 1 was controlled by a number of teams, including Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl, who were keen on having a bunch sprint at the end of the day despite the rolling terrain.
The five men at the front were brought back with around 15 kilometers to go and the peloton had its much-desired mass gallop, but it turned out to be a chaotic one due to a crash that disrupted the lead-out trains. Olav Kooij (Jumbo-Visma) took the win, while Mark Cavendish came home in eighth place for his 15th top 10 finish of the season.
Photo credit: ©Bas Czerwinski / Getty Images
