PELLO BILBAO TAKES 3RD ON THE QUEEN STAGE IN POLAND

# Pello Bilbao Secures 3rd Place in Challenging Queen Stage at Tour de Pologne

In a gripping display of endurance and strategy, Pello Bilbao of Team Bahrain Victorious clinched 3rd place in the demanding Queen Stage at the Tour de Pologne. Although victory slipped away, the team’s performance positioned Antonio Tiberi within striking distance of the overall podium, now just 20 seconds behind the race leader, Victor Langellotti from IGD.

The stage proved to be as arduous as anticipated, featuring five first-category climbs over three laps near Poland’s scenic southern border. Reflecting on his ride, Bilbao expressed, “It was a very beautiful stage — a tactical one where you need to be patient.” He detailed the team’s challenging dynamics: “In the last part, we were at a disadvantage. There were three of them against two of us… but in the end, we couldn’t hold McNulty’s wheel. He took a small advantage, and we missed the chance to go for the stage win.”

Despite the disappointment, Bilbao recognized his team’s efforts: “The guys had been working so hard all week, and today they rode excellently. We were at quite a good level, but we couldn’t make it. We still have chances to win.”

Bahrain Victorious played a crucial role in reeling in an early breakaway, catching them 50 km from the finish. The team also focused intently on gaining bonus seconds, with Tiberi securing two during the stage. “My teammates were fantastic all day long,” Tiberi commented on their support, adding, “I’m very proud of them.”

The finale showcased multiple attacks, yet Tiberi felt the competition’s intensity: “The level of the riders here is very high… I just tried to lose as few seconds as possible until the finish.” His efforts paid off as he advanced to 3rd in the General Classification, acknowledging, “I can’t be unhappy about today because I gave my best, as did everyone on the team.”

Looking ahead, Sports Director Michal Golas remains optimistic about a strong finish in the race, culminating with a 12.5 km time trial in Wieliczka. He stated, “We wanted to win the race and move closer in the GC…I’m proud of the boys and how they rode today. Tomorrow is TT day, which is important, so everything is still open.”

As the Tour de Pologne gears up for its final showdown, anticipation builds for what Team Bahrain Victorious can achieve.