Ion Izagirre stakes claim for Poland crown

The youngest of the brothers lies in a healthy fifth overall going into Monday's "rest day" in the Tour of Poland.

His Tour bow might not have been what many expected it to be, but Izagirre showed on the first couple of stages that his Tour form is still very much intact. He was eighth on day one's stage to the Madonna de Campiglio, and followed that up with seventh on the Pordoi on Sunday. Overall, he's nine seconds down on home rider and GC leader Rafal Majka, and only three seconds off the final podium spot held by man of the moment Christophe Riblon.

While Izagirre might have shown an enviable state of form, he's been pretty isolated up until now. The next best Euskaltel rider on GC is Robert Vrecer, who's 42nd overall at almost 20 minutes.

Photo: BCPT