Jonas Vangenechten took the biggest win of his career when he held off Jacopo Guarnieri in the fourth stage of the Tour de Pologne. The Belgian was given the nod by his teammates to go for the sprint just 25km from the line and was pleased to prove that he can mix it up with the best at the WorldTour level.
This afternoon Jonas Van Genechten won the fourth stage of the Tour de Pologne. With 236 kilometers it was the longest stage.
Boris Vallée joined an early breakaway, but it didn't get much space. Next Edmondson, Krizek and Taciak attacked. In the final Cousin and Kasperkiewicz bridged to the leaders. Eight kilometers from the end, in the last local lap of 12.3 kilometers in Katowice, all escapees were caught. There were some late attacks, like the one of Thor Hushovd.
Still a bunch sprint would decide the stage win. Jonas Van Genechten turned out to be the fastest. Jacopo Guarnieri had to be satisfied with the second place, Luka Mezgec got third. For Van Genechten it's the second win of the season after Gullegem Koerse and this in a WorldTour race.
"Of course I'm very happy with this victory," he said. "It was a fast sprint, because there was a descent at the end. The right timing was important to win.
"With two laps to go we decided I would be the man for the sprint. Kenny Dehaes wasn't feeling 100%. The whole team believed in me. Kenny did the last part of the work in the team, up to the last three kilometers. It wasn't easy to stay together. Each rider of the team has a big part in the win. I want to thank all of them.
"Until the bottom of the last hill I was positioned well. Then I did an effort to be in a good position for the last kilometer. This victory confirms my condition and shows I can perform on the highest level. From the start of the season I am in good shape. There was an opportunity for me here and it was successful."
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