Epic win for Martin in Poland

The finish was nearly by night and tempest. In the very last kilometers, elements suddenly gave Tour of Poland's queen stage around Bukowina an epic dimension. Emerging from the rain, Dan Martin (Garmin-Cervélo) captured the victory and the yellow jersey while former leader Peter Sagan (Liquigas) was dropped in the last 600 meters. Their battle was uncertain until the end as Martin's first attempt in the last climb of the stage had previously failed.

The stage had started gently, with a ten-rider breakaway fleeing after ten kilometers. The group included Italy's Diego Ulissi (Lampre) and Morris Possoni (Team Sky), Spain's Oscar Pujol (Omega Pharma-Lotto) and Patxi Vila (De Rosa-Ceramica Flaminia), Poland's Michal Golas (Vacansoleil-DCM) and Jacek Morajko (CCC Polsat), and Laurent Didier (Saxo Bank), Thomas Rohregger (Leopard Trek) and Nelson Oliveira (Team RadioShack).

Their gap went up 5:25 but decreased under the strong tempo of Astana.

28 kilometers from the finish, the men in front were caught and the rain started affecting most of the circuit, except the most technical downhill.

But the race took its dramatic side 12 kilometers to go, in the final ascent, the Tauron climb, a 300m pitch with grades up to 23%.

In the toughest slopes, Martin accelerated and the leaders' group split behind him. "I wanted to win the stage and I forgot the general," he told Cyclingnews. "At one point I thought it was possible to win because I took ten seconds very quickly. But then I saw the big group behind me and I rode easier to wait for it."

After Martin's four kilometer escape, Poland's Marek Rutkiewicz (CCC Polsat) went on the counter-attack and led the race until 2.5 kilometers from the finish, where the crowd shouted his name.

In the leaders' small bunch, Garmin's Irishman decided to ride in front to impose a tough tempo on Sagan. "But it was a pretty negative race, nobody [among the favourites] really wanted to launch an attack", Martin said.

US Champion Matthew Busche (RadioShack), Fabian Wegmann (Leopard-Trek) and finally Stephen Cummings (Team Sky) each tried but failed to stay clear in the finale.

In the last 600 meters of the up-hill finish, Martin increased the speed again and dropped Sagan. "It was a surprise definitely", he said. The Czech rider explained he suffered from cramps. "Then it got better but I didn't pedal the same."

Martin crossed the line ahead both Vacansoleil's Wouter Poels and Marco Marcato, who secured his third place in GC. Sagan lost thirteen seconds and the leadership by three seconds.

While Irish winner dropped down to the wet tarmac, obviously exhausted, Sagan was celebrated by the numerous Slovakian fans who came from the other side of the border. The fallen leader promised them he will fight on the last stage tomorrow.

"The race is not decided yet. I will fight to take bonus time in the sprints", he said.

All flat and theorically safe, Tour of Poland's ultimate day contains two traps for Martin: the intermediate sprint provides 3, 2 and 1 seconds to the first three riders, and the final one 10, 6 and 4.

Martin reckons "it'll be very hard" to win a second Tour of Poland in row, because "Peter is a very good sprinter". He notes however his teammate Heinrich Haussler can support him though his burst of speed.

"Anyway, the jersey is bonus, it's a surprise I took it today", Martin concludes. "It'll be very nice to ride in Krakow in yellow."

Full Results