The Slovenian cyclist Matej Mohoric (Bahrain Victorious) won the Tour of Poland by just one second behind the Portuguese João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates), after a final stage won by the Belgian Tim Merlier (Soudal-QuickStep) by dominating the sprint.
Both arrived tied this Friday at the outcome of the 166-kilometre Polish round between Zabrze and Cracovia, and Mohoric beat Almeida in the decisive intermediate sprint to achieve a greater bonus than the Portuguese, three by two seconds, who accepted the blow with sportsmanship of his rival.
Neither Almeida, Polish champion in 2021, nor Mohoric opted for the stage win, with which the Slovenian prevailed in the general. On the last day he had his escape, neutralized 15 kilometers from the finish line, and a small pileup after which the final fight began.
In this way, the Slovenian cyclist Matej Mohorič was proclaimed the final winner of the 80th edition of the Tour of Poland, accompanied by the Portuguese Joao Almeida and the Pole Michał Kwiatkowski (Ineos Grenadiers).
Tim Merlier took the victory of the last fraction of the Polish round, played on flat ground with a distance of 166.6 kilometers. The Belgian, who achieved two stage victories in the Polish round, defeated the Dutch Arvid de Kleijn (Tudor Pro Cycling) and the Colombian Fernando Gaviria (Movistar) in the packing, who finished second and third, respectively.
Tour of Poland 2023 (2.UWT)
Results stage 7 | Zabrze – Krakow (166.6 km)
1 Tim Merlier Soudal – Quick Step 3:28:44
2 Arvid de Kleijn Tudor Pro Cycling Team ,,
3 Fernando Gaviria Movistar Team ,,
4 Gerben Thijssen Intermarché – Circus – Wanty ,,
5 Paul Penhoët Groupama – FDJ ,,
Final General Classification
1 Matej Mohoric Bahrain – Victorious 26:17:48
2 João Almeida UAE Team Emirates 0:01
3 Michał Kwiatkowski INEOS Grenadiers 0:17
4 Ilan Van Wilder Soudal – Quick Step 0:22
5 Mattia Cattaneo Soudal – Quick Step 0:41