The fight for the general classification kicked into high gear at the Tour of Poland in the 223-kilometer stage five, a relentless, leg breaking parcours that saw Riccardo Zoidl stay with the leading group until halfway up the final categorized climb with 15 kilometers to go.

Trek Factory Racing began the longest stage of the seven-day tour with only five riders - Eugenio Alafaci did not take the start - and with Zoidl the only climber in the team able to fight in the two brutal laps of 54.3 kilometers that contained three significant climbs and little to no flat roads, it was going to be difficult for him to arrive with the top guns.

Zoidl held tough when the peloton split at the end of the first lap on the last climb of the loop, the first major selection, making the front split of 42 riders.

Team Astana quickly assumed control at the front of the peloton in the final lap of 50 kilometers setting a fierce pace until Sergio Henao (Sky) initiated an attack 700 meters from the top of the penultimate climb. 

Astana calmly reeled him back before the top, while Zoidl dug deep to stay in contact with the leading group as many riders lost contact.

After a short descent, the race hit the final decisive climb where the attacks finally sorted out 12 riders that moved clear. The steep gradient proved too much for Zoidl and he slipped back into a small but select second group that included some strong riders.

“For some time Riccardo was only 50 to 80 meters behind the front group on the last climb,” explained director Adriano Baffi. “He did his best, he was close. With only five riders, and he was the only climber for us, it was not easy, and this was what we expected for today, realistically.”

Bart De Clercq (Lotto-Soudal) made the final winning move from the leading 12 men with 4.5 kilometers remaining as he powered away to a solo victory and with it grabbed the new race lead.

Riccardo Zoidl arrived with a 13-strong group slightly under two minutes later that sprinted for 15th place on the stage.  Zoidl now holds 25th in the overall (+2’07”).

Baffi added, “Two minutes is too much to make up, but anyway tomorrow is another day and with the time trial the last day he can maybe move into the top 15. This is our potential here – if he would be in the first 12 we would be fighting for a good GC because he is good in the time trial.

“But I can tell you he was not bad today – he tried his best, and honestly there is nothing more we can expect than that.”