One day after the eighteenth succes of the season won by Gerben Thijssen in a bunch sprint, Quinten Hermans offered the World Team a new podium in the Tour de Pologne on an explosive finish in Przemyśl.
The protected rider for the general classification benefited from the unconditional support of his teammates during this stage of 238 kilometer, the longest of the event.
So he followed Laurens Huys and Hugo Page to the foot of the final climb (1.5km at 7.7%), which he started in the first positions. He crossed the line in third place in the same time as the winner. He is also third in the provisional classification after this third stage.
« In July I’ve covered many training kilometers with my teammates during an altitude camp in Livigno. But I can feel the long stages here in Poland. In three days we already raced more than 670 kilometer! I was very motivated for this third stage, the only uphill finish of the week. On top of the last categorized climb I accelerated a first time, but it was difficult to escape because of the headwind. On the final climb I followed the best riders and in the final hectometers I chose the slipstream of Higuita. I knew I had to pass him to take the victory. I got out of the saddle, but I had to admit that my legs couldn’t follow the instructions of my head. It is of course frustrating to finish so close to a nice victory. But I gave everything and I’m happy with this performance, against two riders who could benefit from their lower weight on this steep climb. In the next days, I’m expecting selective races. The fast legs of Hugo Page can be our asset in these stages, that would be an opportunity for me to reward him for his excellent work from today. »
