Christen powers to the summit
Jan Christen timed his effort to perfection at Kocierz Resort. The Swiss rider surged clear on the steep final ramps to win stage 5 of the Tour de Pologne on Friday, holding off a late acceleration from Marco Brenner to take the biggest victory of his young career. Louis Barre completed the podium in third.
The run from Opole had looked routine until the closing climb, where gradients touching 11 percent shredded the front group. Christen attacked, Brenner chased, and the UAE Team Emirates man had just enough left to hold him off to the line.
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Lemmen keeps the lead
Bart Lemmen crossed safely among the leaders and kept the overall lead he seized on stage 4. The Dutchman carries his advantage into the final two days, with the general classification still to be decided.
Christen’s win lifts a rider many rate as one of the sport’s brightest climbing talents. He has spent the season learning his craft in the biggest races. On Friday he delivered a result to match the promise.
Two stages left
The Tour de Pologne wraps up on Sunday in Wieliczka after another test on Saturday. Lemmen holds the leader’s jersey, but the margins are tight and the climbers have already shown they can turn the race on its head.
For Christen, the hard part is done. He came for a stage, and he got it.
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