Cycling: Richard Carapaz won the third leg of the Tour of Poland. The Ecuadorian was able to assert himself against the competition with a long sprint and take the overall lead.
No chance for the escapees
Today, the general classification contenders of the Tour of Poland got down to business for the first time. The 203,1-kilometer stage from Wadowice to Bielsko-Biała didn't feature any high mountains, but it did include seven categorized climbs. The undulating circuit – three 7,2-kilometer sections – promised to add excitement with its uphill finish. Initially, however, the breakaway riders dominated the day's action, as is customary. A quartet consisting of Poles Kamil Gradek (CCC) and Patryk Stosz (National Team Poland), Frenchman Quentin Jauregui (AG2R La Mondiale), and Dutchman Taco van den Hoorn (Jumbo-Visma) managed to escape from the peloton. Somewhat surprisingly, Dane Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) and Belgian Thomas de Gendt (Lotto-Soudal) also attempted an early breakaway, but their efforts were thwarted by the peloton.
Carapaz in front of Ulissi
In the peloton, Deceuninck-Quick-Step largely took control. The high pace meant the last of the four breakaway riders was caught 28,0 kilometers from the finish. Immediately afterward, Nathan Haas (Cofidis) attacked. The Australian managed to build a lead of just over a minute. But then Bora-Hansgrohe, in the person of Pascal Ackermann, suddenly increased the pace, and Haas was reeled in within minutes. In the final kilometers, Ineos seized control, thwarting an attack by Groupama-FDJ. With 300 meters to go, Richard Carapaz (Ineos) suddenly launched his sprint. Instead of waiting for a classic finish, the Ecuadorian went for the wind early – and won. Diego Ulissi (UAE) was too late. Richard Carapaz is now the overall leader.
Fabio Jakobsen has woken up from his coma
Beyond the sporting action, there is good news to report. Fabio Jakobsen (Deceuninck – Quick-Step), who suffered a serious crash on the first stage, has awakened from his medically induced coma. The Tour de Pologne announced this via Twitter: "We have good news from the hospital in Sosowiec. Fabio Jakobsen has now awakened from his coma. His condition is good." However, there were more crashes at the Tour de Pologne today. Mickael Delage (Groupama – FDJ) was badly injured on the descent of the Wielka Puszcza climb. The Frenchman was airlifted to the hospital by helicopter. According to his French team, he was conscious.
#TDP20 🇵🇱 | VICTOIRE DE RICHARD CARAPAZ!! Team INEOS's impressions on the 3rd stage of the Tour de Pologne !! #LesRP / #lequipeVELO pic.twitter.com/xxPQWWsVPn
— Paul Moutarde (@PaulMoutarde) August 7, 2020