Team Katusha’s leader Ilnur Zakarin took the 4th place in the final general classification of the UCI WorldTour race Tour de Pologne. in today’s 7th and last stage of the race, an individual time trial of 25 km in Krakow, Zakarin was 8th, 1 minute and 25 seconds behind the stage winner, Marcin Bialoblocki from National Poland. This result allowed the Russian rider to move up from 10th to 4th in overall classification.

"I knew that the time trial would decide a lot in this race, so I was very motivated to do well today. Last year I was here with the Rusvelo team, so I knew the route very well. I tried to do my best and I finished 8th. It looks that today I was the best of all GC, with exception Ion Izagirre. However, I missed some seconds to step up on the final podium. Anyway I am happy with the result. The Tour de Pologne is a very prestigious race and to be 4th in GC is a nice performance. Moreover I was able to get some important points in the WorldTour for Russia," said Ilnur Zakarin.

Second place in the time trial was for Vasil Kiryienka from Sky, who lost 2 seconds to the winner. Third stage place was for Rick Flens from Lotto NL-Jumbo, 59 seconds behind the winner.

The winner of the general classification became Ion Izagirre from Movistar. Second place on the final podium was for Bart De Clercq from Lotto Soudal, 2 seconds behind. The final podium was completed by Ben Hermans from BMC, +0.03. Ilnur Zakarin, 4th,  lost 14 seconds to Izagirre.

"I think this Tour de Pologne was a successful race for us. Ilnur Zakarin was our leader here and the team did all possible to help him to reach the highest possible place in GC. Today Ilnur did a very impressive time trial and he missed just seconds to be on the final podium. Anyway, for such a young rider to be 4th in overall of the Tour de Pologne, it is an important step ahead," added sports directorGennady Mikhaylov.

After the Tour de Pologne Team Katusha still holds its 3rd place in the UCI WorldTour team’s ranking, scoring 1130 points. Ilnur Zakarin entered the Top-20 of the Individual ranking with 194 points.