Tour de Pologne stage 6: Cattaneo wins time trial with Mohorič and Almeida tied for overall lead

On what was expected to be a critical penultimate test at the Tour de Pologne, the 16.6km individual time trial delivered a first-time stage winner, a return to form for a Grand Tour stage winner, and an enthralling battle for the race lead.

In the end, Soudal-QuickStep’s Mattia Cattaneo rose triumphant in Katowice, whilst Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) poked his head above the parapet to finish third and Matej Mohorič (Bahrain Victorious) defended his yellow jersey from a rampaging João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates).

Thomas had enjoyed a quiet return to racing in his first stage race since finishing runner-up at the Giro d’Italia, but he could hide no longer on stage 6 as a classy time trial delivered him to third place and offered a glimpse into his form ahead of the Vuelta a España.

One place better than the Welshman was Almeida, who finished 13 seconds behind stage winner Cattaneo and took 12 seconds on race leader, Mohorič.

But for Mohorič, his 11th-place finish and prior stage finishes - including the win on stage 2 - ensured that he would retain his lead from Almeida at the end of the day, despite both riders having ridden the first six stages in exactly 22:49:07.

Tied on time and 14 seconds ahead of third-placed Michał Kwiatkowski (Ineos Grenadiers), Mohorič and Almeida are set for a blockbuster final-day showdown on Friday.