McNulty storms to victory in final time trial of Tour of Poland, securing overall victory

So far, the Tour of Poland has not produced any significant differences. Even in the difficult hilly stages, the favorites in the GC proved to be evenly matched. Victor Langellotti (INEOS Grenadiers) had taken control in the penultimate stage after an impressive victory, but everything would come down to Sunday's time trial. The pressure would come from Brandon McNulty and Antonio Tiberi.

The time trial was not very long at 12.5 kilometers, but it was relatively tricky, with a nasty climb in the opening kilometers. The first target time was set by Max Walker (EF Education - EasyPost). The Brit had already been on the attack in the Tour of Poland and once again showed his strength with an excellent time. However, this was improved not long after by Huub Artz.

The young Dutchman from Intermarché-Wanty timed his effort well and made up all the time he had lost at the first intermediate point, finishing 8 seconds under Walker's time. But the Dutch fast rider was also quickly overtaken. Ben Turner (INEOS Grenadiers) had already won a stage, but was now also 4 seconds faster than Artz. His teammate Lucas Hamilton was one second short of knocking him off the top spot.

It was a game of swapping places, because Lorenzo Milesi (Movistar) quickly beat the time of the wearer of the white points jersey. The Italian was seven seconds faster than Turner, and even Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ) couldn't beat his time. It was time for the GC contenders: Marco Frigo (Israel - Premier Tech) opened the ball as number 10 in the rankings and rode a good time trial, but he was outclassed by his compatriot Matteo Sobrero.

However, the Red Bull rider was not fast enough to beat Milesi: it became clear that the Movistar man had paced his time trial very well. Would he win the time trial? Rafal Majka rode a decent time trial, but had to concede half a minute. Men like Jan Christen and Pello Bilbao rode a fine time trial, but were nowhere near the Italian in the hot seat.

It soon became clear who would win the Tour of Poland. McNulty flew, setting the best intermediate time. Tiberi had ridden a great time trial (he was 3 seconds slower than Milesi at the finish), but the American from UAE Team Emirates - XRG not only took the overall victory, but also the stage win: he was 12 seconds faster than the man in the hot seat. Langellotti fought hard but lost a lot of time in the final meters and also lost his place on the podium.