If you ever wonder why riders bother getting in a breakaway on flat stages, Petr Vakoc (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) showed exactly why on stage two of the Tour of the Poland.
The Czech student, in his first year at Omega Pharma-Quickstep, earned the Belgian super team’s 48th victory of a fine season as he soloed to success in Warsaw, foiling the sprinters.
A mistimed chase and some miscommunication – second-placed Michael Matthews (Orica-GreenEDGE) was apparently oblivious to Vakoc’s presence up the road as he celebrated what he thought was a stage win – certainly helped Vakoc.
But it takes a special type of rider to succeed in the break as well, and the 22-year-old showed he is a name to watch out for with a hugely impressive victory.
Relive the stage through the lens of UCI WorldTour photographer Stefano Sirotti in the full-screen gallery below.
