It’s time for high speed thrills! The fourth stage offers another classic and spectacular section of the Tour de Pologne.
It all starts in Tarnów, a city with ancient history that dates back to kings from the Piastów dynasty. The centre of the city stands out for its Italian Renaissance style buildings and is famous for being the warmest city in Poland, with a record number of sunny days. The race arrives in Katowice, one of the largest cities in Poland and a candidate as a 2016 European City of Culture. Katowice is a academic town; in fact, there are many students enrolled at the University of Economics and at the Music Academy. The city also boasts several parks and picturesque squares. The final in this stage features the traditional circuit where it becomes difficult for attackers to flee from the skills of the sprinters. At Katowice thrills are always guaranteed. Last year Taylor Phinney managed to anticipate the group with a masterful action as a classic “finisseur”; in 2011 instead Marcel Kittel burned the competition with a record-worthy break away in which he reached a top speed of 78 km/h.
Yesterday’s stage winner: Theo Bos (NED), Belkin
Top 5 general classification (yellow Skandia jersey)
1) Petr Vakoc (Cze) Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team 14:50:55
2) Yauheni Hutarovich (Blr) Ag2r La Mondiale 0:00:27
3) Theo Bos (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team
4) Roman Maikin (Rus) RusVelo 0:00:31
5) Luka Mezgec (Slo) Team Giant-Shimano
Tauron cyclamen jersey: Maciej Paterski (CCC Polsat)
(GPM classification)
Lotto blue jersey: Petr Vakoc (Omega Pharma – Quick-Step)
(classification for most active rider in the group)
Lang Team white-red jersey: Yauheni Hutarovich (Ag2r La Mondiale)
(points classification)
Team classification: Omega Pharma – Quick-Step
Riders in race: 164.
Complete classifications at: www.tourdepologne.pl
