Tour de Pologne stage 7 (part 2)

After stage 6 when I hitched a ride with Tom, we talked about cycling the whole drive back to town. He had mentioned he worked for the main sponsor of Tour de Pologne and when he dropped me off, he surprised me with a VIP pass for stage 7. I was dumbfounded by his kindness!

 

I wasn't sure where the pass would take me as I hadn't noticed a traditional VIP village with champagne and snacks and access in general seemed to be very open to the public. It turned out the pass let me stay on the edge of the riders' waiting area ahead of the TT so I got to observe the remaining riders as they went through their final mental preparations, last minute equipment checks, and signed on before climbing into the TT start house.

 

Michael Matthews rested in the waiting area after completing his TT. The sprinter secured 10th place on the stage with his performance.

 

It was fascinating to watch which riders were relaxed, which were focused, which ones joked with their colleagues on other teams. The atmosphere was very quiet and understandably a bit tense.

 

The man in the white shirt would call a rider up just ahead of his start time if that rider hadn't already signed on. Some riders arrived as much as 10 minutes in advance of their turn while others waited as long as possible in the buses.

 

Some riders were accompanied by a mechanic who would carry the bike into the start house while those alone did the task themselves.

 

Jose Sarmiento and Davide Villella of Cannondale.

 

Slovakian TT champion Peter Velits watched Davide Rebellin's UCI bike check.

 

The final countdown for Velits.

 

Sign on at a TT isn't the same ceremonial presentation as during a regular road stage but rather a matter of fact task.

 

Ryder Hesjedal got comfortable.

 

Start house shoes.

 

Warren Barguil and a Giant mechanic each went through their own preparations.

 

Rafal Majka was one of the few to sport a cooling vest. Below: Majka and Giampaolo Caruso.

 

Robert Gesink.

 

Ion Izagirre was among the many riders to fidget with the skin suit. In particular, many of them pulled repeatedly at the skin suit around their thighs any time they moved from standing to sitting or vice versa.

 

Beñat Intxausti had been calmly sitting when he must have suddenly realized he didn't have a water bottle. He grabbed one lying around (a few riders had brought bottles containing prepared mixes and then left those bottles before the TT), rinsed it out a couple of times with fresh water, and then secured it in his bottle cage.

 

The last rider to set out was GC leader Majka.

 

When a rider was in the start house, a young guy held the two edges of the curtain closed, opening it just to let a rider and his bike pass through. His face was neutral if not bored all afternoon, but when it was about to be Majka's turn, he kept spontaneously grinning to himself and I noticed the crew worked next to me had obviously been recruited to snap photos of the curtain holder with Majka.

 

Former Polish champion Michal Kwiatkowski was on hand for today's stage. In the morning he had given out the prizes to the winners from the kids' race and now he was in demand from the media to get his thoughts and reactions on Majka.

 

In the hot seat with the fastest time on the 25km course, Kristof Vandewalle sat with a Trek staff member and watched the rest of the stage unfold on TV.

 

My VIP pass also allowed me to see the final riders come in just beyond the finish line. Below: Hesjedal.

 

Dominik Nerz parted the sea of photograohers at the finish line.

 

Barguil.

 

Gesink.

 

Izagirre, having passed his 2 minute man Caruso, placed 7th on the stage and third in the overall GC.

 

Caruso.

 

Christophe Riblon finished 9th on the stage and just off the final podium in 4th place.

 

Intxausti finished the TT in 15th place but held onto the final step on the overall podium.

 

Mouth agape, Majka crossed the finish line in 13th place to huge cheers from the crowd.

 

On my way to the podium, I passed the press room moments before it was confirmed that Majka had claimed the overall title. The room was a buzz with excited talk and when I heard them erupt with cheers, I knew Majka had just been announced the winner of the 71st Tour de Pologne.

 

Fresh with sweat, Majka arrived at the podium looking like he hadn't yet had a moment to catch his breath.

 

Everyone was hugging each other, especially Majka's mother.

 

Izagirre and Intxausti arrived at the podium shortly after Majka.

 

Vandewalle exited the hot seat, his time earning him the stage win by 3 seconds.

 

These gentleman were as excited as kids on Christmas morning to hold the final leader's jersey and dragon ahead of the presentation.

 

Vandewalle for the stage win.

 

Matthias Krizek as the most active rider.

 

Maciej Paterski was the King of the Mointains.

 

Yauheni Hutarovich claimed the points competition. I only noticed the award when Hutarovich held it overhead and I half wondered if it was a huge clump of salt. Hutarovich must have been wondering the same thing because he asked a question to Czesław Lang on his right, former pro rider and now organizer of the Tour de Pologne. Lang nodded enthusiastically and Hutarovich shrugged his shoulders and stuck his tongue on the award. Judging by his face, it's safe to say it was salt!

 

Majka received checks and the title of best Polish rider.

 

Movistar were the best team. To his teammates' amusement, Andrey Amador kept gesturing that he wanted to throw his salt award into the crowd.

 

The final podium was the same riders as on the previous 2 stages: Majka in first, Ion Izagirre in second, and Intxausti in third.

 

No one was safe from Majka and his celebratory champagne.

 

I'm sure Izagirre and Intxausti were frustrated to have lost out by 8 and 22 seconds respectively, but in the end it was smiles all around on the podium.