Mathys Rondel wins the general classification, Pietro Mattio takes the climber’s jersey
19th May 2024 – Ilkhan Dostiyev (Kazakhstan) triumphed at the finish in Hotel Arłamów with an attack in the finale, followed by Luxembourg’s Arno Wallenborn and Belgium’s Emiel Verstrynge.
Ilkhan Dostiyev – stage winner: “The stage was very hard, my teammates did a great job, I was able to attack on the last climb and win the race. This is a very good result for my future, winning such a difficult race with such strong opponents gives me confidence
Pietro Mattio – KOM winner: “I tried to attack several times, I wanted to win the stage, but the group caught me with 600 metres to go. The last 40 km were very hard, but the stage suited my characteristics. I tried to sprint on the penultimate climb, we had a good gap, but France and Switzerland caught us. I’m very happy to have won the KOM jersey. I really enjoyed the race and it gave me the opportunity to compete with the best national teams in the world.”
Mathys Rondel – GC winner: “Today’s stage went well. We let the breakaway go because there were no riders who could be dangerous for the general classification, so we controlled it with the help of Spain and Luxembourg. Then we started the first lap of the circuit and it was quite challenging. We knew it was going to be hectic in that section, we were at full throttle again, but in a good position. Maybe it was a bit stressful with the Kazakhs in front, but the Swiss did a great job and finally the last climb. I wasn’t scared, but in the end the gap to third on the GC was quite small. We made it, so we are very happy because we did a great job and we should be proud. This year I feel good and I want to try to win everywhere. I still have a lot of work to do, but I’m looking forward to the next races to win again.”
Today’s stage took place entirely in the Carpathians. After the start in Lesko, Powiat Leski, the riders set off on 148 kilometres of ups and downs before arriving at the finish in Hotel Arłamów. As usual, the first few kilometres saw a series of attacks until 30km when the day’s breakaway was formed, consisting of Eirik Aas (Norway), Edvin Lovidius (Sweden), Ramses Debruyne (Belgium), Filippo D’Aiuto (Italy), Sebastian Putz (Austria), Emry Faingezicht (Israel), Kacper Gieryk (TC Chrobry SCOTT Głogów) and Alfred Grenaae (Denmark). They were closely followed by Aslan Silykbek (Kazakhstan), Maciej Banaszak (Mostostal Puławy) and Jack Brough (Great Britain), who joined the lead group after a short chase. At 50km they were 1’15” ahead of the group led by France.
Kacper Gieryk was the first rider to cross the finish line of the KOM at the Hotel Arłamów, followed by Maciej Banaszak, Jack Brough and Sebastian Putz. On the descent the peloton reduced the gap considerably and caught up with all the riders except the two Poles: Kacper Gieryk and Maciej Banaszak, who were joined by Daniel Vold. Then the Germans took matters into their own hands and caught the attackers. Matthew Brennan – third in the general classification – sprinted and opened up a gap of 10 seconds on his rivals, but was caught by the group of around 15 riders. Mathys Rondel was the first to pass the Kalwaria Pacławska KOM. On the descent several riders managed to rejoin the lead group. With seven kilometres to go, six riders remained in the lead: Nils Aebersold, Ilkhan Dostiyev, Arno Wallenborn, Pietro Mattio, Samuel Fernandez and Emil Iwersen. Behind them it was the Swiss who took over the chase. On the descent, Ilkhan Dostiyev took advantage and entered the final climb with a 25-second lead over Mattio and Wallenborn. The Kazakh rider managed to hold on and crossed the finish line at the Hotel Arłamów with his arms raised, ahead of Arno Wallenborn and Emiel Verstrynge.
Mathys Rondel (FRA) won the general classification with a 17-second lead over his compatriot Brieuc Rolland and Luxembourg’s Arno Wallenborn.
Pietro Mattio (ITA) took the best climber jersey ahead of Switzerland’s Nils Aebersold and Poland’s Julian Kot.
Belgium won the team classification ahead of Luxembourg and Switzerland.
