Tour de Pologne (finale)

Ion Izagirre comes just eight seconds short for overall triumph -with Intxausti in 3rd, Amador in 6º-, as Malori takes 2nd in Krákow time trial by just three. Movistar wins teams' classification, strengthens lead in 2014 UCI WorldTour

Solid work throughout the week from the Movistar Team did not find the well-deserved prize in the 71st Tour de Pologne’s finale, the easternmost European event of the WorldTour season crowning a local rider after more than a decade’s halt: Rafal Majka (TCS). The 25-kilometer individual time trial in and around Krákow -two long straigths, broken by the exit and access to Poland’s second biggest city- became ‘almost’ land for the telephone squad, dreaming for twenty minutes about a stage win by its best specialist -Adriano Malori, in his first day in maglia tricolore as Italian champion, lost to Kristof Vandewalle (TFR) by only three seconds- and fighting until the very final meters for the overall triumph, which escaped by only 8″.

Despite the intermediate check not looking good for the Blues’ interests -Riblon (ALM) led the way through and threatened the overall podium for both Ion Izagirre and Beñat Intxausti, 6″ and 10″ back respectively on Majka, the progression by both Movistar Team riders made Ion Izagirre finish in 7th for the day -his brother Gorka was 5th- and added late stress for Majka, who eventually came victorious ahead of the two lads directed by José Luis Jaimerena.

Andrey Amador, 6th in the GC, rounded off a good performance from a Movistar Team that also leaves Poland with the teams’ overall victory and increased leadership -1,100 points to 889 from AG2R- in the 2014 UCI WorldTour, which will take the Blues back into competition on Monday with the 10th Eneco Tour.