As expected, it was a chaotic and demanding day in Tour of Poland yesterday where a total of 5,000 climbing metres on a mountainous course over 206 kilometres really tested the riders from Marilleva Val di Sole to the uphill finish, Passo Pordoi. It was also the final day in Italy before the race takes the peloton back to Poland after today's rest day.

A handful of riders, including this year's Giro d'Italia winner, Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) were working relentlessly in the breakaway to keep the chasing peloton behind. With 8 kilometres to go, Christophe Riblon (AG2R) launched a fierce attack from the front group and soloed his way up the mountain just like he did in this year's Tour de France on L’Alpe d'Huez. However, this time he didn't just chase the stage win but the leader's jersey as well.

Behind, Team Saxo-Tinkoff's Chris Anker Sørensen and Rafal Majka were now chasing. Riblon took the stage win but Majka finished in 5th position, which was good enough to secure him the overall lead of the race. Chris Anker Sørensen was seventh and is now fifth overall.

"I am very happy to have the leader's jersey and to be the best Pole in the race for now," said Majka according to Cyclingnews.com. “It means a lot to me. I like the idea of arriving in Poland with this jersey on my back. It's important for me and for the team, which worked a lot for me today. I have the yellow jersey but the next days are going to be a battle.”

In between Majka and Riblon, however, lurks Colombian Sergio Henao (Sky) who trails by just four seconds as the race heads towards the six remaining stages in Poland. With the toughest two stages out of the way, Majka is determined to try to become the first home rider to win the race since it joined the WorldTour in 2005.

“Henao is very close in the classification and there are other riders who pose a threat,” said Majka. “I'm going to do everything I can to defend this jersey.”