The two-time Belgian Champion racked up his 18th top ten of the season.
The Tour de Pologne returned on the flat after two days in the medium mountains for a stage of almost 200 kilometers which had bunch sprint written all over it. It wasn’t that straightforward though, as just 60 kilometers into the race echelons split the peloton spreading panic, with some of the fast men and GC contenders caught on the wrong side of the split.
After some intense chasing, the second group rejoined the bunch, who at that moment was trailing the breakaway by just two minutes. Soudal Quick-Step was again visible at the front, especially with Josef Cerny, who played an important role in the escapees being brought back some 15 kilometers from home.
In the sprint, which was a fraught one, Tim Merlier finished in seventh place as Olav Kooij (Jumbo-Visma) took the victory, a result that keeps the Belgian in contention for the points jersey. His teammate Ilan Van Wilder remained in the top 10 overall going into the complicated stage five to Bielsko-Biala, which could bring more changes to the general classification, where the gaps continue to be tight.
Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri / Getty Images
Tim Merlier 
