Tour de Pologne Stage 5: Brambilla Top 20 in Up-and-Down Stage!

Tour de Pologne Stage 5: Brambilla Top 20 in Up-and-Down Stage!

As predicted, the 223km Tour de Pologne 5th Stage, from Nowy Sacz to Zakopane, was one for the GC contenders and climbers. Astana kept the pace high on the front of the peloton, shedding riders until only 42 remained. Eventually a small group of about a dozen riders came together at the front of the race, and it was Bart De Clerq (Lotto Soudal) who launched the race winning attack with 4.7km remaining.

Diego Ulissi (Lampre-Merida) and Sebastien Reichenbach (IAM Cycling) tried to chase him down, but finished 2nd and 3rd behind him.

Gianluca Brambilla placed 17th (+1'57") out of a chase group behind. He is now 16th overall (+1'59"). De Clerq became the new race leader, ahead of Ulissi and Davide Formolo (Cannondale-Garmin).

Etixx - Quick-Step looks next to Stage 6, 174km in distance, which is the queen stage of the race. There are four laps including the Zab, Sciana Bukowina, and Bukowina Tatrzanska ascents. This stage will set up the final battle for the overall in the time trial on the last day.