Theo ‘The’ Bos Stamps Authority on Tour de Pologne Stage 3

Aug 05, 2014 – Theo Bos of the Netherlands claimed the Tour of Poland third stage on Tuesday as Czech rider Petr Vakoc held on to the overall leader’s yellow jersey.

AFP/TourdePologne/Szymon Gruchalski/IMGstudio

Bos, who rides for the Belkin team, crossed the line after the 174km ride from Kielce to Rzeszow ahead of Slovenia’s Luka Mezgec and Australia’s Michael Matthews. Bos took the day’s honors by pipping Mezgec to the line after a bunch sprint. Vakoc, who claimed the lead after winning Monday’s second stage, held on to yellow when finishing safely in the main peloton.

“The legs were really good I felt on the lap. Yesterday we took control also on the laps with the team, but it was really wide roads. I was full gas all the time so then in the sprint I wasn’t strong. But there was one guy in front anyway. Then today we said ‘ok maybe it’s not wise to take the front again.’But then we heard the roads were really narrow. So we took the front and we can keep it because of all of the corners also. So, I saved a lot of energy. Then in the last lap I had to fight for position. It was a fast circuit, really high speed, so it helped me a lot and I was able to win.” said Bos. “I’m happy with my victory today in Poland. As for tomorrow, I know the parcour is really long. I look at the final circuit as something that can be difficult because in the last kilometer there is a roundabout and then the road goes down a bit. It’s maybe similar to the first sprint stage. But, I will look at the book closer tomorrow. For now I will enjoy the victory today.”

Petr Vakoc has enjoyed his time as Omega Pharma’s team leader but is wary of the mountains. “Today was a great feeling with the whole team supporting me as leader. I always rode in the middle of my teammates protecting me. It was like a dream. We were always in control today with the breakaway having a small gap. We remained in control even when we entered the finishing circuit. There was, of course, a crash before the final but I’m happy that everyone of the team is OK. For me, this was a good experience for my young career to ride with such great support from my team. Tomorrow is another stage likely for the sprinters, and we will try to defend my jersey once again. Then, we go into the mountains. It won’t be easy, but I have nothing to lose and can only try my best to keep this yellow jersey.”

Results of Stage Three at the Tour of Poland: 174km from Kielce to Rzeszow:

Stage
1. Theo Bos (NED/BEL) 3hr 39min 27sec
2. Luka Mezgec (SLO/GIA) s.t.
3. Michael Matthews (AUS/OGE) s.t.
4. Sacha Modolo (ITA/N62) s.t.
5. Thor Hushovd (NOR/BMC) s.t.
6. Tyler Farrar (USA/GRS) s.t.
7. YauheniHutarovich (BLR/ALM) s.t.
8. Jonas Van Genechten (BEL/N67) s.t.
9. Davide Appollonio (ITA/ALM) s.t.
10. Roberto Ferrari (ITA/N62) s.t.

Overall
1. Petr Vakoc (CZE/OPQ) 14hr 50min 55sec
2. Yauheni Hutarovich (BLR/AG2R) at 27sec
3. Theo Bos (NED/BEL) 27
4. Roman Maikin (RUS/RVL) 31
5. Luka Mezgec (SLO/GIA) 31
6. Boris Vallée (BEL/N67) 33
7. Manuele Mori (ITA/N62) 33
8. Maciej Paterski (POL/CCC) 35
9. Matthias Krizek (AUT/CAN) 35
10. Grzegorz Stepniak (POL/CCC) 37