DISCUSSION Pologne Stage 6 & Burgos Stage 5 | Is Ciccone a Vuelta contender? And have UAE made a mistake not sending Del Toro to Spain?

This Saturday delivered drama on multiple fronts, with the spotlight firmly on the Vuelta a Burgos and Tour de Pologne. In Burgos, Isaac del Toro’s season of breakthroughs continued as he claimed the overall title. The UAE Team Emirates – XRG rider could not take the queen stage, however, once again losing out to Giulio Ciccone in a repeat of their Clásica San Sebastián duel. Del Toro attacked with 2.9 kilometres to go, Ciccone on his wheel, while race leader Léo Bisiaux and Giulio Pellizzari faltered.

Ciccone, recovering from his stage 1 setbacks, powered to the stage victory. Del Toro’s second place was enough to secure the general classification, with Lorenzo Fortunato rounding out the day’s podium.

Over in Poland, history was made. On stage 7 of the Tour de Pologne, Victor Langellotti gave INEOS Grenadiers a win that will be remembered far beyond the team bus. The Monégasque rider not only claimed the stage but also moved into the overall race lead, becoming the first from his nation to triumph at cycling’s highest level. With one stage left to race, the pressure remains high as the peloton lines up for a final push.

Let’s find out now what our writer’s thought about today’s races.

In Burgos, the expected happened with Isaac del Toro taking the final overall classification. Léo Bisiaux still has some way to go to be at the level of the best and Giulio Ciccone has shown that he is the strong man of the moment, making the Mexican suffer just as he did in the Clásica de San Sebastián exactly a week ago.In Poland, Victor Langellotti's big surprise, Brandon McNulty had the race won but was surprised by the INEOS Grenadiers Monegasque at the finish.

Still, the American will be the favorite for the final time trial. Pello Bilbao, who could finish on the podium if he has a good time trial, will be the favorite for the final time trial.Finally, I would like to talk about the great performance of Movistar Team today in both races.

In Burgos they put 3 riders in the Top 20 in the mythical ascent to Lagunas de Neila with an impressive Diego Pescador, the young Colombian climber. Very good also Jefferson Cepeda and Antonio Pedrero. And in Poland, Davide Formolo is still in the race to get a good result in the overall, while Lorenzo Milesi tried again to get into the breakaway.

In Pologne it was an interesting day, but ultimately this is almost always a race decided in the time-trials. The hilly days only make the selection between those who can race for the win, which is a race format I really don't like - specially for 7 days of racing. UAE played their cards right but there was one rider stronger.

I must say Langellotti was a quality rider and I didn't underestimate him into this season, but he has truly taken another step and what he did today was very impressive. A smart rider, using his lack of a 'big name' to use his rivals to perfection and then capping that off with a crazy acceleration to take the win and the yellow jersey. I believe UAE will win the GC tomorrow however with McNulty.  

Another great Saturday of racing. Away from the larger events taking place in Poland and Spain, Tom Pidcock quietly picked up his first win on the road in six months in Norway. No, the field of competed was not the strongest, but a win is a win, and Pidcock will be relieved to have got one on the board before the Vuelta. After a strong start to his Q36.5 career, he has endured a quiet period in the aftermath of a somewhat lacklustre Giro. Hopefully his win on Saturday can be the springboard for more success in Spain this month.