George Bennett kept sight on a on top result until late in the queen stage of the Tour de Pologne on Thursday. Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s rider from New Zealand was part of a big group that moved free from the pack in the final part of the stage, but because of the high pace he had to let go of the group with 15 kilometres to go. In the end, Bennett finished 25th at 1-57.

The 223-kilometre stage was won by Bart Declercq. The Belgian Lotto-Soudal rider attacked the group from which Bennett was dropped in the final kilometres and finished solo. Along the way, the riders had to tackle no less than eight categorised climbs.

“Initially, there was a break of six,” Sports Director Jan Boven said. “In our eyes, the group was too small and it turned out that way. In retrospect, it was not a bad choice that we didn’t get in the break.

"Several teams chased hard and so it became an elimination race. When the pack started the final lap, it split into three groups. Bram Tankink was too far back and missed out. George and Bert-Jan Lindeman were in the front, but could only follow when Astana stepped up the pace. George and his group gave what they had until the finish. Their two-minute time loss means the pace was very high.”

Bennett confirmed that.

“But it was a long day as well. Altogether, including the rides from and to the hotel, I rode 250 kilometres today. On the climbs I rode my own pace, because otherwise I would explode. However, I shot myself in the foot when I let a gap open. On a flat piece, I had to close it by my own since the rest could not anymore, but I could not match the pace of Astana.”

Friday’s stage six starts and finishes in Bukowina Tatrzańska. The riders need to complete a local lap with two categorised climbs four times. The total distance is 174 kilometres.

“Tomorrow's stage is perhaps slightly heavier than today’s,” Boven said. “I expect another elimination race. We have to be attentive during the start and try to get in the break.”