2012 Tour de Pologne

Aside from entering the Czech Republic (to the city of Český Těšín on the border with Poland) during the third stage, the race stages started and ended in Polish locations.

As the Tour de Pologne was a UCI World Tour event, all eighteen UCI ProTeams were invited automatically and obligated to send a squad. Along with Team Poland BGŻ – the Polish national team – six other squads were given wildcard places into the race, and as such, formed the event's 25-team peloton.{{cite news|url=http://tourdepologne.pl/en/?showNewsLite=126|title=25 teams to start|work=Tour de Pologne|publisher=Lang Team Sp. z o.o.|date=23 April 2012|accessdate=10 July 2012}}{{cite news|url=http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/11710/Tour-of-Poland-presents-tough-mountainous-course-for-2012-edition.aspx|title=Tour of Poland presents tough, mountainous course for 2012 edition|work=VeloNation|publisher=VeloNation LLC|first=Ben|last=Atkins|date=25 April 2012|accessdate=10 July 2012}}

The twenty-five teams that competed in the race were:{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-pologne-2012/start-list|work=Cycling News|publisher=Future Publishing Limited|accessdate=10 July 2012|title=Tour de Pologne 2012 start list}}

;10 July 2012 — Karpacz to Jelenia Góra, {{convert|179.5|km|1|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=http://tdp.infocity.pl/pdf/editions/35/wyniki.pdf|format=PDF|date=10 July 2012|accessdate=11 July 2012|work=Tour de Pologne; DomTel Sport Timing|publisher=Infocity|title=Wyniki 1 Etapu: Komunikat Numer 2|language=Polish|trans-title=Results of Stage 1: Communication No. 2}}

The opening stage of the Tour began with {{convert|22.7|km|1|abbr=on}} of riding, prior to entering a {{convert|39.2|km|1|abbr=on}} loop around Karpacz and Jelenia Góra, where the riders would complete four laps before the finish.{{cite news|url=http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12355/Tour-of-Poland-Moreno-Moser-jumps-clear-to-take-opening-stage.aspx|title=Moreno Moser jumps clear to take opening stage|work=VeloNation|publisher=VeloNation LLC|date=10 July 2012|accessdate=11 July 2012|first=Ben|last=Atkins}} Included on each lap was a first-category climb at the Karpacz Orlinek, a site for ski jumping during the winter months, while on the third full lap of the circuit, there was an intermediate sprint in Karpacz offering bonus seconds towards the general classification. A five-rider breakaway was initiated in the early kilometres of the stage; the move consisted of {{UCI team code|ALM|2012}}'s Sylvain Georges, {{UCI team code|SAX|2012b}} rider Jarosław Marycz, Daniel Teklehaymanot of {{UCI team code|OGE|2012b}}, Federico Rocchetti ({{UCI team code|UNA|2012}}) and Bartłomiej Matysiak, riding for the representative Team Poland BGŻ.

The quintet opened up a maximum advantage of nine minutes over the rest of the field during the second circuit, as rain began to dampen the parcours, and it eventually resulted in a crash in the main field. Among the riders going down were {{UCI team code|OPQ|2012}} teammates Tom Boonen and Niki Terpstra, as well as {{UCI team code|LIQ|2012}}'s Fabio Sabatini; of the riders, only Boonen was able to rejoin the peloton,{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-pologne-2012/stage-1/results|title=Moser wins opening stage in Poland|work=Cycling News|publisher=Future Publishing Limited|date=10 July 2012|accessdate=11 July 2012}} as Terpstra abandoned after the crash due to injuries suffered,{{cite news|url=http://www.omegapharma-quickstep.com/en/news/show/tour-de-pologne-stage-1-kwiatkowski-2nd-boonen-terpstra-fall-on-descent/730|title=Kwiatkowski 2nd, Boonen & Terpstra Fall on Descent|work={{UCI team code|OPQ|2012}}|publisher=Decolef|date=10 July 2012|accessdate=11 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130191640/http://www.omegapharma-quickstep.com/en/news/show/tour-de-pologne-stage-1-kwiatkowski-2nd-boonen-terpstra-fall-on-descent/730|archive-date=30 January 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} and Sabatini was taken off the parcours in an ambulance but suffered only heavy bruising in the incident.{{cite news|url=http://www.teamliquigascannondale.com/2012/eng/main.php?mod=news&m=07&n=0|title=Moreno Moser's shot strikes again! Super win at the Tour de Pologne|work={{UCI team code|LIQ|2012}}|publisher=Brixia Sport|date=10 July 2012|accessdate=11 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203163013/http://www.teamliquigascannondale.com/2012/eng/main.php?mod=news&m=07&n=0|archive-date=3 February 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} {{UCI team code|SKY|2012}}'s Sergio Henao tried to chase down the leaders from out of peloton, but could not bridge the gap to them. Marycz, Teklehaymanot and Georges dropped Rocchetti and Matysiak with around {{convert|30|km|1|abbr=on}} remaining of the stage,{{cite news|url=http://www1.skysports.com/cycling/news/15264/7887784/Moser-makes-early-mark|title=Moser makes early mark|work=Sky Sports|publisher=BSkyB|date=10 July 2012|accessdate=11 July 2012}} with {{UCI team code|AST|2012}} bringing the advantage to beneath two minutes.

Georges looked to go clear on his own, on the fourth and final climb of the Karpacz Orlinek but could not hold off until the summit when the peloton, now led by Henao and his teammate Lars Petter Nordhaug, swept past him. The work carried out by {{UCI team code|SKY|2012|nolink=yes}} and {{UCI team code|AST|2012|nolink=yes}} on the front of the peloton had reduced the main field to just 36 riders. Alexandr Kolobnev launched an attack on the descent of the climb for {{UCI team code|KAT|2012}} but was brought back to the peloton. Christophe Le Mével then went clear for {{UCI team code|GRS|2012b}} but he was passed by a secondary move by Kolobnev inside of the final {{convert|2.5|km|1|abbr=on}} of the stage. However, Kolobnev faded on the false flat to the finish; from the reduced pack, {{UCI team code|LIQ|2012|nolink=yes}}'s Moreno Moser launched a late attack – akin to his victories in the Trofeo Laigueglia and the Eschborn-Frankfurt City Loop earlier in the year – and managed to hold off the rest of the field for his first World Tour victory.{{cite news|url=http://www.bicycle.net/2012/moreno-moser-takes-stage-1-at-tour-de-pologne|title=Moreno Moser Takes Stage 1 At Tour de Pologne|work=Bicycle.net|publisher=Thinkaram|date=10 July 2012|accessdate=11 July 2012|archive-date=13 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713225447/http://www.bicycle.net/2012/moreno-moser-takes-stage-1-at-tour-de-pologne|url-status=dead}} Moser finished ahead of the best-placed Polish rider Michał Kwiatkowski ({{UCI team code|OPQ|2012|nolink=yes}}) and {{UCI team code|RAB|2012}} rider Lars Boom.{{cite news|url=http://tourdepologne.pl/en/?showNewsLite=160|title=Moser grabs stage victory and the leader's yellow jersey|work=Tour de Pologne|publisher=Lang Team Sp. z o.o.|date=10 July 2012|accessdate=11 July 2012}}

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|General Classification after Stage 1

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;11 July 2012 — Wałbrzych to Opole, {{convert|239.4|km|1|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=http://tdp.infocity.pl/pdf/editions/36/wyniki.pdf|format=PDF|date=11 July 2012|accessdate=12 July 2012|work=Tour de Pologne; DomTel Sport Timing|publisher=Infocity|title=Wyniki 2 Etapu: Komunikat Numer 3|language=Polish|trans-title=Results of Stage 2: Communication No. 3}}

With a parcours of {{convert|239.4|km|1|abbr=on}}, the second stage was the longest of the 2012 edition of the Tour de Pologne.{{cite news|url=http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12362/Ben-Swift-victorious-on-stage-two-in-the-Tour-of-Poland.aspx|title=Ben Swift victorious on stage two in the Tour of Poland|first=Kyle|last=Moore|work=VeloNation|publisher=VeloNation LLC|date=11 July 2012|accessdate=12 July 2012}} On the route from Wałbrzych, there were three intermediate sprint points in the towns of Paczków, Prudnik and Krapkowice, as well as a third-category climb in the village of Chrząszczyce, {{convert|28|km|1|abbr=on}} from the end of the stage. The final {{convert|18|km|1|abbr=on}} of the stage was conducted in three laps of a {{convert|6|km|1|abbr=on}} circuit within Opole.{{cite news|url=http://www.velouk.net/2012/07/11/report-ben-swift-wins-in-poland/|title=Ben Swift wins in Poland|work=Velo UK|publisher=WordPress|date=11 July 2012|accessdate=12 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130413213309/http://www.velouk.net/2012/07/11/report-ben-swift-wins-in-poland/|archive-date=13 April 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} The breakaway was almost entirely made up of home riders, as Polish trio Damian Walczak, Łukasz Bodnar (both riding for the representative Team Poland BGŻ) and {{UCI team code|UNA|2012}}'s Adrian Kurek were joined at the head of proceedings by Italian Diego Caccia, riding for the {{UCI team code|FAR|2012}} team.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-pologne-2012/stage-2/results|title=Swift quickest on stage 2 of Tour of Poland|work=Cycling News|publisher=Future Publishing Limited|date=11 July 2012|accessdate=12 July 2012}}

With Bodnar being best-placed of the quartet, at just 1' 13" behind overnight leader Moreno Moser of {{UCI team code|LIQ|2012}}, the peloton did not allow for them to accumulate a substantial advantage on the road, but the leaders did acquire a ten-minute advantage at one point.{{cite news|url=http://tourdepologne.pl/en/?showNewsLite=163|title=Swift whistles by at Opole|work=Tour de Pologne|publisher=Lang Team Sp. z o.o.|date=11 July 2012|accessdate=12 July 2012}} Bodnar did however gain nine seconds during the stage, by taking first place at each of the three intermediate sprint points, and assumed the red jersey for that classification. Once he had done so, he returned to the peloton to allow for their advantage to grow once again. The leaders were three minutes clear with {{convert|30|km|1|abbr=on}} remaining, when Caccia made his move off the front. By the time he crossed the finish line in Opole for the first time, with {{convert|18|km|1|abbr=on}} left, the lead had been almost halved. Caccia held off until the final lap, when he was caught by the sprinters' teams. {{UCI team code|RAB|2012}} and {{UCI team code|SKY|2012}} were prominent at the front of the main field for Theo Bos and Ben Swift respectively,{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/533848/swift-wins-second-stage-of-tour-of-poland.html|title=Swift wins second stage of Tour of Poland|first=Nigel|last=Wynn|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=IPC Media Limited|date=11 July 2012|accessdate=12 July 2012}} and it was Swift that out-sprinted everyone for his first road win of the year.{{cite news|url=http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290,26118_7889812,00.html|title=Swift is poles apart|work={{UCI team code|SKY|2012}}|publisher=BSkyB|date=11 July 2012|accessdate=12 July 2012}} Moser maintained his race lead, despite crashing late on.

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|General Classification after Stage 2

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;12 July 2012 — Kędzierzyn-Koźle to Cieszyn, {{convert|201.7|km|1|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=http://tdp.infocity.pl/pdf/editions/37/wyniki.pdf|format=PDF|date=12 July 2012|accessdate=12 July 2012|work=Tour de Pologne; DomTel Sport Timing|publisher=Infocity|title=Wyniki 3 Etapu: Komunikat Numer 4|language=Polish|trans-title=Results of Stage 3: Communication No. 4}}

The stage started in Kędzierzyn-Koźle, moving south-west towards the finish including a short distance covered in the Czech Republic around Český Těšín,{{cite news|url=http://tourdepologne.pl/en/?showNewsLite=165|title=Stybar the strongest in Cieszyn|work=Tour de Pologne|publisher=Lang Team Sp. z o.o.|date=12 July 2012|accessdate=12 July 2012}} before returning to Poland for the finish in Cieszyn. There were three categorised climbs, with two ascents of the Kubalonka climb – one during each lap of a {{convert|17.2|km|1|abbr=on}}-long intermediary circuit around the towns of Wisła and Czarne – and the other being a third of the way around a {{convert|6.3|km|1|abbr=on}} closing circuit in Cieszyn. As well as the climbs, there were also three intermediate sprint points during the {{convert|201.7|km|1|abbr=on}} parcours, held in Skoczów, Ustroń and in Český Těšín, prior to entering the finishing circuit which was to be completed three times. Three riders – {{UCI team code|OGE|2012b}} rider Fumiyuki Beppu, {{UCI team code|UNA|2012}}'s Gabriele Bosisio and Mateusz Taciak representing the national Team Poland BGŻ{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-pologne-2012/stage-3/results|title=Stybar wins stage three at Tour of Poland|work=Cycling News|publisher=Future Publishing Limited|date=12 July 2012|accessdate=12 July 2012}} – went clear in the early kilometres of the stage, and quickly established a substantial lead on the road, reaching a maximum of seventeen minutes.{{cite news|url=http://www1.skysports.com/cycling/news/15264/7892267/Sprint-success-for-Stybar|title=Sprint success for Stybar|work=Sky Sports|publisher=BSkyB|date=12 July 2012|accessdate=12 July 2012}} However, this advantage was still not enough to last all the way to the finish; indeed, the trio were caught at the start of the first of three finishing circuits in Cieszyn.{{cite news|url=http://www.bicycle.net/2012/tour-de-pologne-stage-3|title=Tour de Pologne Stage 3|work=Bicycle.net|publisher=Thinkaram|date=12 July 2012|accessdate=12 July 2012}}

A counter-attack of three more riders – Taciak's teammate Marek Rutkiewicz, Matteo Trentin of {{UCI team code|OPQ|2012}} and {{UCI team code|FDJ|2012}} rider Jussi Veikkanen – went clear on the opening lap, but the peloton were closing in on them. Rutkiewicz went alone from the lead group, and was eventually caught by {{UCI team code|SKY|2012}}'s Sergio Henao,{{cite news|url=http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12375/Tour-of-Poland-Stybar-grabs-stage-3-in-uphill-cobbled-sprint.aspx|title=Stybar grabs stage 3 in uphill, cobbled sprint|first=Kyle|last=Moore|work=VeloNation|publisher=VeloNation LLC|date=12 July 2012|accessdate=12 July 2012}} who had attacked from the main field; Henao had been placed seventh in the general classification overnight, trailing leader Moreno Moser ({{UCI team code|LIQ|2012}}) by just ten seconds, with ten bonus seconds on offer at the stage finish for the winner. Henao and Rutkiewicz resisted off the front until the final cobbled climb to the finish; Moser was in contention for the stage win, but it was Zdeněk Štybar who finished strongest for {{UCI team code|OPQ|2012|nolink=yes}},{{cite news|url=http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290,26118_7892409,00.html|title=So close for Henao|work={{UCI team code|SKY|2012}}|publisher=BSkyB|date=12 July 2012|accessdate=12 July 2012}} taking victory – his first at World Tour level, and second win of the season – ahead of {{UCI team code|AST|2012}}'s Francesco Gavazzi and Sacha Modolo of {{UCI team code|CSF|2012}}. Moser's overall lead was reduced to one second, after Štybar's teammate Michał Kwiatkowski gained three seconds at one of the sprint points.{{cite news|url=http://www.omegapharma-quickstep.com/en/news/show/tour-de-pologne-stage-3-stybar-sprints-to-victory/736|title=Stybar Sprints to Victory|work={{UCI team code|OPQ|2012}}|publisher=Decolef|date=12 July 2012|accessdate=12 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130212806/http://www.omegapharma-quickstep.com/en/news/show/tour-de-pologne-stage-3-stybar-sprints-to-victory/736|archive-date=30 January 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

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|General Classification after Stage 3

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;13 July 2012 — Będzin to Katowice, {{convert|124.7|km|1|abbr=on}}

The fourth stage was seen as the best chance for the sprinters to take a stage victory out of the entire Tour de Pologne.{{cite news|url=http://www.sportsmax.tv/sport/other/kroupis-wins-fourth-stage-in-poland|title=Kroupis wins fourth stage in Poland|work=Sportsmax|publisher=International Media Content|date=13 July 2012|accessdate=14 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130418184758/http://www.sportsmax.tv/sport/other/kroupis-wins-fourth-stage-in-poland|archive-date=18 April 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} At {{convert|127.8|km|1|abbr=on}}, the parcours was the shortest of the Tour, with circuits in both the start town of Będzin – three laps of a {{convert|4.2|km|1|abbr=on}} circuit – and in the finishing location of Katowice, where six laps of an {{convert|8.1|km|1|abbr=on}} circuit were completed.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-pologne-2012/stage-4/results|title=Kruopis captures stage 4 in Katowice|work=Cycling News|publisher=Future Publishing Limited|date=13 July 2012|accessdate=14 July 2012}} There were two categorised climbs during the stage – both third-category – at Syberka and on the penultimate finishing circuit, as well as three intermediate sprint points at Dąbrowa Górnicza, Siemianowice Śląskie and on the fourth Katowice circuit. Michał Kwiatkowski of {{UCI team code|OPQ|2012}} was first across the line at the first sprint point in Dąbrowa Górnicza,{{cite news|url=http://www1.skysports.com/cycling/news/15264/7897520/Kruopis-sprint-denies-Swift|title=Kruopis sprint denies Swift|work=Sky Sports|publisher=BSkyB|date=13 July 2012|accessdate=14 July 2012}} picking up three seconds on race leader Moreno Moser ({{UCI team code|LIQ|2012}}) thanks to help from teammate Tom Boonen,{{cite news|url=http://www.omegapharma-quickstep.com/en/news/show/tour-de-pologne-stage-4-kwiatkowski-new-gc-leader/739|title=Kwiatkowski New GC Leader|work={{UCI team code|OPQ|2012}}|publisher=Decolef|date=13 July 2012|accessdate=14 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715020259/http://www.omegapharma-quickstep.com/en/news/show/tour-de-pologne-stage-4-kwiatkowski-new-gc-leader/739|archive-date=15 July 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} and became the virtual race leader on the route.

The breakaway was formed thereafter, with four riders making up the move; {{UCI team code|UNA|2012}} rider Adrian Kurek was joined in the group by {{UCI team code|FAR|2012}}'s Rafael Andriato, Martijn Verschoor of {{UCI team code|TT1|2012}} and Ángel Madrazo,{{cite news|url=http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12384/Tour-of-Poland-Aidis-Kruopis-edges-Ben-Swift-in-stage-four-sprint.aspx|title=Aidis Kruopis edges Ben Swift in stage four sprint|first=Kyle|last=Moore|work=VeloNation|publisher=VeloNation LLC|date=13 July 2012|accessdate=14 July 2012}} representing the {{UCI team code|MOV|2012}} and the quartet managed to get clear by around three minutes at one point during the stage. However, they were not to be successful as they were brought back by the peloton on the final circuit in Katowice. Polish national champion Michał Gołaś ({{UCI team code|OPQ|2012|nolink=yes}}) looked to go clear, but he could not gain sufficient ground on the peloton in the closing stages. Thus, it was down to the sprinters' teams to sort out the order and tempo at the front of the main field. {{UCI team code|SKY|2012}} looked to get Ben Swift into play for the sprint,{{cite news|url=http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290,26118_7897528,00.html|title=Narrow second for Swifty|work={{UCI team code|SKY|2012}}|publisher=BSkyB|date=13 July 2012|accessdate=14 July 2012}} but Aidis Kruopis ({{UCI team code|OGE|2012b}}) launched his sprint off Swift's wheel, and took his first win at World Tour level. Kwiatkowski held his two-second lead to the end of the stage, to take the yellow jersey from Moser. Kurek moved into the red jersey, thanks to points achieved in the day's breakaway.{{cite news|url=http://tourdepologne.pl/en/?showNewsLite=166|title=Stage for Kruopis, Kwiatkowski in yellow|work=Tour de Pologne|publisher=Lang Team Sp. z o.o.|date=13 July 2012|accessdate=14 July 2012}}

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|General Classification after Stage 4

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;14 July 2012 — Rabka-Zdrój to Zakopane, {{convert|163.1|km|1|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=http://tdp.infocity.pl/pdf/editions/39/wyniki.pdf|format=PDF|date=14 July 2012|accessdate=15 July 2012|work=Tour de Pologne; DomTel Sport Timing|publisher=Infocity|title=Wyniki 5 Etapu: Komunikat Numer 6|language=Polish|trans-title=Results of Stage 5: Communication No. 6}}

With six categorised climbs during the stage – one of which, the Wierch Olczański, came in the early running of the stage before three passes of a climb into Zakopane {{convert|3.2|km|1|abbr=on}} before the finish, as well as two climbs of the Głodówka – the stage was not originally suited towards the sprinters. A five-rider breakaway was formed in the early kilometres of the stage, consisting of {{UCI team code|KAT|2012}}'s Mikhail Ignatiev, {{UCI team code|FDJ|2012}} rider Mickaël Delage, Bert De Backer of {{UCI team code|ARG|2012b}}, Rafael Andriato ({{UCI team code|FAR|2012}}) and Davide Mucelli representing {{UCI team code|UNA|2012}}.{{cite news|url=http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12395/Tour-of-Poland-Number-two-for-Ben-Swift-on-uphill-stage-five-battle.aspx|title=Number two for Ben Swift on uphill stage five battle|work=VeloNation|publisher=VeloNation LLC|date=14 July 2012|accessdate=15 July 2012|first=Ben|last=Atkins}} They managed to establish a maximum advantage of around four minutes on the peloton,{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-pologne-2012/stage-5/results|title=Swift takes another stage of Tour of Poland|work=Cycling News|publisher=Future Publishing Limited|first=Laura|last=Weislo|date=14 July 2012|accessdate=15 July 2012}} which was led by {{UCI team code|OPQ|2012}}, who were protecting the overall leader of the race, Michał Kwiatkowski.{{cite news|url=http://www.omegapharma-quickstep.com/en/news/show/tour-de-pologne-stage-5-kwiatkowski-retains-yellow-jersey-in-home-country/743|title=Kwiatkowski Retains Yellow Jersey in Home Country|work={{UCI team code|OPQ|2012}}|publisher=Decolef|date=14 July 2012|accessdate=15 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108043935/http://omegapharma-quickstep.com/en/news/show/tour-de-pologne-stage-5-kwiatkowski-retains-yellow-jersey-in-home-country/743|archive-date=8 November 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

As the leaders approached Zakopane for the first time, Ignatiev saw fit to attack off the front of the lead quintet and went away solo from the group. Delage later launched his own move, but remained a couple of minutes behind his former breakaway companion. However, he did not make much headway from the chasing peloton, who closed down a minute's gap before the second and final intermediate sprint of the day, coming with {{convert|34.7|km|1|abbr=on}} remaining in the town of Cyrhla. After Ignatiev had pedalled through for the three bonus seconds on offer for first, {{UCI team code|LIQ|2012}}'s Moreno Moser, trailing Kwiatkowski by two seconds in the general classification overnight, made a bold move for the bonus time at the line. He did gain the two seconds for second place, but Kwiatkowski countered his move to take the one second for third, maintaining his overall lead by one second.{{cite news|url=http://tourdepologne.pl/en/?showNewsLite=168|title=Swift signs his second victory|work=Tour de Pologne|publisher=Lang Team Sp. z o.o.|date=14 July 2012|accessdate=15 July 2012}}

Ignatiev remained off the front until halfway around the final circuit, when he was caught by {{UCI team code|MOV|2012}}'s David López García, but both riders were eventually brought back to the peloton. Four riders made a counter-move immediately after that, and managed to gather up a 25-second advantage into the final {{convert|10|km|1|abbr=on}} of the stage. {{UCI team code|RNT|2012}}'s Jan Bakelants broke the group up with a solo attack,{{cite news|url=http://www1.skysports.com/cycling/news/15264/7901545/Sprint-success-for-Swift|title=Sprint success for Swift|work=Sky Sports|publisher=BSkyB|date=14 July 2012|accessdate=15 July 2012}} which sent Maciej Bodnar ({{UCI team code|LIQ|2012|nolink=yes}}) back to the peloton, as he could not stay with the group. Bakelants was caught prior to reaching the final summit of the stage, with {{convert|3.2|km|1|abbr=on}} to go, which ultimately led for the sprint finish to be undertaken. {{UCI team code|FAR|2012|nolink=yes}} were first to play their hand along with {{UCI team code|RAB|2012}}'s Michael Matthews, but both moves were far too early for any effect at the line. Bodnar's teammate Elia Viviani was behind, but was beaten to the sprint by the points leader Ben Swift ({{UCI team code|SKY|2012}}),{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/533904/swift-wins-again-in-tour-of-poland.html|title=Swift wins again in Tour of Poland|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=IPC Media Limited|date=14 July 2012|accessdate=15 July 2012|first=Nigel|last=Wynn}} who took his second win of the race, and extended his lead in the classification.{{cite news|url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/swift-claims-second-win-poland-170022969.html|title=Swift wins again in Tour of Poland|work=Yahoo! Eurosport|publisher=TF1 Group|date=14 July 2012|accessdate=15 July 2012}}

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|General Classification after Stage 5

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;15 July 2012 — Terma Bukowina Tatrzańska to Bukowina Tatrzańska, {{convert|191.8|km|1|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=http://tdp.infocity.pl/pdf/editions/40/wyniki.pdf|format=PDF|date=15 July 2012|accessdate=15 July 2012|work=Tour de Pologne; DomTel Sport Timing|publisher=Infocity|title=Wyniki 6 Etapu: Komunikat Numer 7|language=Polish|trans-title=Results of Stage 6: Communication No. 7}}

The queen stage{{cite news|url=http://www.movistarteam.com/news/2012-7-15/moreno-back-at-the-fore-in-poland|title=Moreno back at the fore in Poland|work={{UCI team code|MOV|2012}}|publisher=Movistar|date=15 July 2012|accessdate=15 July 2012}} of the Tour de Pologne, the penultimate stage of the race consisted of a lap of {{convert|38.2|km|1|abbr=on}}, followed by four laps of a {{convert|38.4|km|1|abbr=on}}-long circuit around Bukowina Tatrzańska with two first-category climbs on each lap; around {{convert|12|km|1|abbr=on}} into each lap, there was an ascent in the village of Ząb, with a maximum gradient of 11.4%, and a much steeper climb in Gliczarów Górny, with a maximum gradient of 21.5%. On the fourth lap, there was also an intermediate sprint point at Wierch Olczański, but as a whole, the stage remained below {{convert|1000|m|abbr=on}} above sea level.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-pologne-2012/stage-6/results|title=Moser denies Henao on the line in Poland|work=Cycling News|publisher=Future Publishing Limited|date=15 July 2012|accessdate=15 July 2012}} Mountains classification leader Daniel Teklehaymanot ({{UCI team code|OGE|2012b}}) took maximum points at the day's opening climb prior to the breakaway being formed, extending his lead in the classification.

Thereafter, a five-rider breakaway was initiated around halfway around the opening circuit of the stage; the move consisted of {{UCI team code|RAB|2012}}'s Tom-Jelte Slagter, {{UCI team code|AST|2012}} rider Roman Kreuziger, Ian Stannard of {{UCI team code|SKY|2012}}, Tomasz Marczyński ({{UCI team code|VCD|2012}}) and Bartosz Huzarski, riding for the representative Team Poland BGŻ.{{cite news|url=http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12407/Tour-of-Poland-Double-day-for-Moreno-Moser-on-hilly-sixth-stage.aspx|first=Ben|last=Atkins|title=Double day for Moreno Moser on hilly sixth stage|work=VeloNation|publisher=VeloNation LLC|date=15 July 2012|accessdate=15 July 2012}} The quintet were able to establish an advantage of around five minutes midway through the stage,{{cite news|url=http://tourdepologne.pl/en/?showNewsLite=170|title=A test of strength for Moser|work=Tour de Pologne|publisher=Lang Team Sp. z o.o.|date=15 July 2012|accessdate=15 July 2012}} but their advantage was not a stage-winning gap, as attacks from the peloton meant that they were surpassed on the final lap. Stannard's teammate Sergio Henao counter-attacked immediately after, where he was chased by {{UCI team code|LAM|2012}}'s Przemysław Niemiec and {{UCI team code|EUS|2012}} rider Jon Izagirre. Stannard attacked once again, before Henao took a second chance of his own,{{cite news|url=http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290,26118_7903132,00.html|title=Henao denied on the line|work={{UCI team code|SKY|2012}}|publisher=BSkyB|date=15 July 2012|accessdate=15 July 2012}} attacking off the front of the peloton. Henao resisted capture until {{convert|50|m|abbr=on}} to go, where a quick-finishing Moreno Moser ({{UCI team code|LIQ|2012}}) surpassed him for his second stage win at the race.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/533909/stannard-attacks-all-the-way-in-tour-of-poland-stage-six.html|title=Stannard attacks all the way in Tour of Poland stage six|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=IPC Media Limited|date=15 July 2012|accessdate=15 July 2012}} With Henao finishing second ahead of {{UCI team code|OPQ|2012}}'s Michał Kwiatkowski, Moser took the overall lead by five seconds, thanks to time bonuses.{{cite news|url=http://www.teamliquigascannondale.com/2012/ita/main.php?mod=news&id=570|title=Moreno Moser bolts to Tour de Pologne stage win|work={{UCI team code|LIQ|2012}}|publisher=Brixia Sport|date=15 July 2012|accessdate=15 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204054007/http://www.teamliquigascannondale.com/2012/ita/main.php?mod=news&id=570|archive-date=4 February 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

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|General Classification after Stage 6

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;16 July 2012 — Kraków to Kraków, {{convert|131.4|km|1|abbr=on}}

As was the case in the 2011 edition of the race, the final general classification battle was to come down to a final circuit race around Kraków.{{cite news|url=http://www.thenews.pl/1/5/Artykul/105974,Can-Pole-clinch-Tour-de-Pologne|title=Can Kwiatkowski clinch Tour de Pologne?|work=Polskie Radio News|publisher=Polskie Radio S.A.|date=16 July 2012|accessdate=17 July 2012}} After a {{convert|15.8|km|1|abbr=on}} opening to the stage, the riders contested two {{convert|5|km|1|abbr=on}} loops around the town of Wieliczka; there was a further {{convert|19|km|1|abbr=on}} of racing before the riders entered the finishing circuit of {{convert|12.4|km|1|abbr=on}}, to be completed on seven occasions. Each circuit had an intermediate sprint point on one of the laps, while there was only one categorised climb during the Wieliczka loop, {{convert|500|m|abbr=on}} before the end of the second lap. In the early kilometres, twelve riders representing twelve teams established the day's breakaway,{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-pologne-2012/stage-7/results|title=Moser wins 2012 Tour de Pologne|work=Cycling News|publisher=Future Publishing Limited|date=16 July 2012|accessdate=17 July 2012}} including the winner of the third stage, Zdeněk Štybar of {{UCI team code|OPQ|2012}}.{{cite news|url=http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12417/Tour-of-Poland-John-Degenkolb-takes-closing-stage-as-Moreno-Moser-confirms-overall.aspx|first=Ben|last=Atkins|title=John Degenkolb takes closing stage as Moreno Moser confirms overall|work=VeloNation|publisher=VeloNation LLC|date=16 July 2012|accessdate=17 July 2012}} The group managed to establish an advantage of around three minutes, but the peloton – being led by the {{UCI team code|LIQ|2012}} team, protecting the race leader Moreno Moser – were being attentive in light of the close margins in the general classification.

Bonus seconds on offer at the intermediate sprint points, but the breakaway took all the available points during the circuits, meaning that Moser could only be beaten at the stage finish. {{UCI team code|SAX|2012b}}'s Jarosław Marycz and {{UCI team code|SKY|2012}} rider Juan Antonio Flecha looked to break the lead group apart on the final lap, before Marycz attacked solo,{{cite news|url=http://teamsaxobanktinkoffbank.com/ny_news.asp?n_id=3709|title=Jaroslaw Marycz could smell stage win in Tour of Poland|work={{UCI team code|SAX|2012b}}|publisher=Riis Cycling|date=16 July 2012|accessdate=17 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723002109/http://teamsaxobanktinkoffbank.com/ny_news.asp?n_id=3709|archive-date=2012-07-23|url-status=dead}} but the group were eventually brought back by the peloton with {{convert|3|km|1|abbr=on}} remaining.{{cite news|url=http://www1.skysports.com/cycling/news/15264/7905093/Degenkolb-delight-in-Poland|title=Degenkolb delight in Poland|work=Sky Sports|publisher=BSkyB|date=16 July 2012|accessdate=17 July 2012}} It was at this point that a torrential downpour hit the race, and made the sprint for the line treacherous. {{UCI team code|ARG|2012b}} moved forward in the peloton for their sprinter John Degenkolb, and Degenkolb managed to hold off the advances of {{UCI team code|SKY|2012|nolink=yes}} duo Mathew Hayman and Ben Swift to take the victory, his sixth of the season.{{cite news|url=http://www.1t4i.com/news/2409/|title=Degenkolb wins final stage Tour de Pologne|work={{UCI team code|ARG|2012b}}|publisher=Project 1t4i|date=16 July 2012|accessdate=17 July 2012}} Moser finished in the pack to secure the general classification by five seconds ahead of Štybar's teammate Michał Kwiatkowski.{{cite news|url=http://www.uci.ch/Modules/ENews/ENewsDetails2011.asp?id=ODQ3MA&MenuId=MTYzMDQ&LangId=1&BackLink=%2FTemplates%2FUCI%2FUCI8%2Flayout%2Easp%3FMenuID%3DMTYzMDQ%26LangId%3D1|title=Moser shows his talent at the Tour de Pologne|work=UCI.ch|publisher=Union Cycliste Internationale|date=16 July 2012|accessdate=17 July 2012}}

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|Final General Classification

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In the 2012 Tour de Pologne, four different jerseys were awarded. For the general classification, calculated by adding each cyclist's finishing times on each stage, and allowing time bonuses in intermediate sprints and at the finish in mass-start stages, the leader received a yellow jersey.{{cite web|url=http://2012.tourdepologne.pl/en/t/regulamin,content/|title=69th Tour de Pologne: Rules|work=Tour de Pologne|publisher=Lang Team Sp. z o.o.|accessdate=30 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230235214/http://2012.tourdepologne.pl/en/t/regulamin,content/|archive-date=30 December 2013|url-status=dead}} This classification was considered the most important of the 2012 Tour de Pologne, and the winner of the classification is the winner of the race.

There was also a mountains classification, the leadership of which was marked by a fuchsia jersey, representing the Tauron Group, the sponsors of the classification. In the mountains classification, points were won by reaching the top of a climb before other cyclists, with more points available for the higher-categorised climbs, which were split into three distinctive categories. Double points were awarded for the final climb of the race, on the penultimate stage. The third jersey represented the points classification, marked by a white-and-red jersey. In the points classification, cyclists got points for finishing in the top 20 in a stage. For all stages, the win earned 20 points, second place earned 19 points, third 18, and one point fewer per place down to a single point for 20th.

The fourth jersey represented the sprints classification, marked by a red jersey. In the sprints classification, cyclists received points for finishing in the top 3 at intermediate sprint points during each stage, with the exception of the individual time trial stages. There was also a classification for teams, in which the times of the best three cyclists per team on each stage were added together; the leading team at the end of the race was the team with the lowest total time.

;Notes:

• In stages 2 and 4, Michał Kwiatkowski, who was second in the points classification, wore the white jersey, because Moreno Moser (in first place) wore the yellow jersey as leader of the general classification during that stage.

{{reflist|30em}}

{{commons category}}

• {{official website|http://tourdepologne.pl/en/}}

{{2012 UCI World Tour}}

{{Tour de Pologne}}

Tour de Pologne

Category:Tour de Pologne

Tour de Pologne

Category:July 2012 sports events in Europe