Przemyslaw Niemiec proved that he is getting into his best condition for the Vuelta a Espana when he finished 10th in the first mountain stage of his home race, the Tour de Pologne. The Pole was pleased with the outcome in a finish that was too explosive for his climbing skills.

Crashes in the Giro d'Italia meant that Przemyslaw Niemiec didn't have the spring season that he was hoping for and now he hopes to bounce back in the second half of the year. Today he proved that he is reaching his best condition when he was among the best in the first mountain stage of the Tour de Pologne.

Niemiec even made a surge inside the final kilometre but quickly realzied that the final climb was too easy for him to make a difference. Instead, he chose to save his energy for tomorrow's harder stage.

"My legs gave me good feedback and they allowed me to follow the high pace that was set on the final climb without too much effort," he said. "One kilometer from the finish, I hit the front to check the condition of the opponents and to control the situation if someone had the energy to attack, but no one could try any action due to the high pace.

"Majka's sprint was great. This sprint doesn't suit my characteristis so I focused my attention on avoiding any time loss in the final metres."