Impatient Izagirre misses out

An impatient but impressive Ion Izagirre didn't get the stage win he craved, but still rose to eighth overall on the penultimate stage of the Tour of Poland.

The 191,9km stage from Bukovina to Bukowina Tatrzanska was always going to be decisive when it came to overall honours, and the strong climbers were duly to the fore in the closing 20 kilometres in the Polish hills. Ion Izagirre was the most active along with Sky's diminutive Colombian Sergio Henao, but perhaps played his cards too early and were left to pay in the finale. Izagirre went after the first time Henao surged clear some 13 clicks out, and made repeated accelerations as the pack closed in on the final climb. As Henao jumped clear yet again some two kilometres from the top, Izagirre was again the strongest of the rest and gave chase. His efforts took their toll though as he faded slightly inside the last 1500 metres, but he still had enough left in the tank to grab a highly creditable ninth on the day. As a consequence he moved up to eighth overall with only tomorrow's processional final stage left.

Igor Antón had his best day in the race by figuring in the finale and hanging on for a decent 21st at half a minute. While the race hasn't been the best for the Galdakao-native, at least he seems to be on the right track with a view to the Vuelta.

Neither Alan Pérez nor Pierre Cazaux crossed the finish line.

Stage six results:

• (1, Moreno Moser (Liquigas), 5:16:32)
• 9, Ion Izagirre, 0:07
• 21, Igor Antón, 0:30
• 45, Miguel Minguez, 1:47
• 55, Romain Sicard, 4:06
• 87, Juan José Oroz, 15:23
• 117, Adrián Sáez, 19:04

General classification:

• (1, Moreno Moser (Liquigas), 27:25:17)
• 8, Ion Izagirre, 0:29
• 34, Igor Antón, 3:44
• 41, Romain Sicard, 6:41
• 63, Miguel Minguez, 16:35
• 111, Juan José Oroz, 37:17
• 166, Adrián Sáez, 1:16:15

Photo: www.cyclingnews.com