Thor Hushovd attacked with 1.5 kilometres to go in Wednesday's stage of the Tour de Pologne, but the BMC Racing Team rider's bid for victory was swallowed up inside the final 500 meters.

Hushovd said when he did not see teammate Sebastian Lander in the closing kilometers of the 236-km race and the bunch began to slow on a small rise near the finish, he took his own chance.

"I knew the sprint was on a downhill and it would be very fast, which is not the kind that suits me," the former world road champion said. "I made a good try and I am finally back to feeling good and feeling like my normal self."

BMC Racing Team Sport Director Fabio Baldato said while the original plan was to set Lander up for the sprint, he was comfortable with Hushovd freelancing in the final moments.

"For me, it was a good try," he said. "Also we had Lander there if he was caught."

Jonas Vangenechten (Lotto-Belisol) took the win ahead of Jacopo Guarnieri (Astana Pro Team) and Luka Mezgec (Team Giant-Shimano) while Lander finished 15th. Baldato said with the first of two uphill finishes to come on Thursday, the BMC Racing Team is ready to focus on the overall classification, which is led by Petr Vakoc (Omega Pharma-Quick Step). Five BMC Racing Team riders – led by Dominik Nerz in 18th place – are all 37 seconds off the lead.