Lotto Soudal's Tim Wellens took over the lead of the Tour Of Poland with victory on Stage Five.
On a wet and rainy 225km stage between Wieliczka and Zakopane, Wellens got into an eighteen rider break and then rode on his own for forty five kilometres to take the win in 5.57.22, some 3.48 ahead of Cannondale's Davide Formolo.
Wellens told Cycling Quotes.com about his win:
“It was a very spectacular day today. After twenty kilometres, the race was neutralized for a moment because of a big crash. The weather conditions were very bad the whole day so the road was slippery and dangerous. Luckily, I was saved from the misfortune.
”After the neutralization, many attempts to set up a break occurred. At a certain moment, I decided to join a break together with Sander Armée. In my opinion, it was good to be in a break because there wasn’t a particular team that controlled the race. I thought that we might have a chance to remain ahead. Sander did a lot of work in the front group, therefore I was able to sit back a bit.
“Eventually, the front group consisted out of thirteen riders. After that, I decided to attack as the peloton almost closed the gap to the front of the race. Firstly, a few other riders joined me but a few kilometres later I accelerated again and then I was on my own. I was able to increase the lead steadily and I managed to win the stage.
“I feel really cold right now, and really tired! No, but today I had a good day, my legs were good. I got into the breakaway with Sander Armee, he did a lot of work for me and we had a good advantage over the other group coming from behind: the peloton, I don't know how many riders survived in the peloton but then, before the peloton caught up I attacked with two others, then I went alone and then two others caught up and then I went alone again, it was far to go solo but on a parcours like this that goes uphill and downhill without any flat stretches, it’s not a disadvantage to be alone, especially when it is wet, so thanks to that I was able to survive until the finish line.
”I’m very happy that I won I such a nice way. It’s true that I like this kind of weather, but after the finish I was cold and I had to warm up a bit.
”Because of this performance, I have a chance to win this year’s Tour de Pologne. But it will be another two hard days in the saddle. Tomorrow’s stage contains five laps with three climbs each so it will be a difficult stage. We have a very strong team, we can ride aggressively and that’s exactly what we’re going to try. Also the closing time trial suits me.
”I was very motivated to show myself in this Tour de Pologne and to aim for a good position on GC. This is a nice race with several possible outcomes. The race isn’t controlled by a specific team and I like that kind of races.
“I’ve never won with a 4 minute advantage before, so it’s pretty special. Yes, tomorrow: they say it’s going to be much harder than today so I think everybody will suffer. I don’t know how many riders are still in the race but I think everybody suffered today and they say that tomorrow there will be a lot of rain again. Normally I like the rain, I like to race in it but today was really cold so we will see how it is tomorrow; but I have a good advantage and we have a good team and we will do our best to keep the lead.”
"It was very tough today. That was because of the many climbs but also the cold. The Tour of Poland is not over. I prefer a four-minute lead over a four-minute defitcit. Everything now depends on the mountain stage on Sunday. We will see, but normally my team will be strong enough to control it. Hopefully I can finish without any loss of time. I think it will be okay."