“Motivation sometimes does most of the work”: Jonathan Milan extends Poland streak with third consecutive stage win
CyclingThursday, 06 August 2026 at 01:00
Jonathan Milan's remarkable form shows no signs of slowing down. The Lidl-Trek sprinter claimed his third consecutive stage victory at the Tour of Poland with another commanding bunch sprint, extending his lead in the general classification and underlining his status as the fastest rider in the race.
Milan completes the hat-trick
Stage 3 from Gorzów Wielkopolski to Zielona Góra ended in the expected bunch sprint, although the finale unfolded differently from a typical lead-out battle. The sprinters' teams drove the pace throughout the final kilometres, but the relentless speed meant most lead-out trains had exhausted themselves before the final kilometre.
Milan found himself perfectly positioned behind two NSN riders before launching his sprint. The Italian accelerated decisively to claim his third straight victory, comfortably holding off Noah Hobbs, while Alessandro Romele surprised with third place. The victory also marked Milan's fifth consecutive win across all races.
After another dominant display, Milan credited both his preparation and his current condition. “I know my shape is good at the moment. I really trained hard in the build-up to this race and was really motivated for a strong second half of the season,” he said in a post-race interview.
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He also praised Lidl-Trek for their support throughout the race. “The team did a brilliant job today and really believed in me, so when everyone's committed then I know the results come.”
Earlier in the stage, Milan even spent time in the breakaway after reacting instinctively to an early move. “I saw two strong riders attack when I was right in front, and I thought: ‘Why not cover once?’ But at one point, I just listened to my head and let myself get back up.”
Laughing when asked whether he felt like a Formula 1 driver making the move, Milan replied: “A little bit, yes.”
Jonathan Milan on stage 1 of the 2026 Tour de Pologne
Confidence growing for the second half of the season
Milan believes his current success is the product of months of hard work. Asked what has made him so dominant, he kept the answer simple. “It's just good form, I think. Training a lot, feeling really good.”
He also highlighted the importance of his mindset heading into the second half of the campaign. “I've been really looking forward to this second half of the season. I'm super motivated. Motivation sometimes does most of the work.”
"Did I prepare for the really hot stages? Not really, but today wasn't so bad. The last two stages weren't very hilly, but I really enjoyed the first one. The climbs and descents, the long stages... I really appreciate this kind of course."
Milan has regularly battled Paul Magnier this season, but dismissed suggestions that his recent victories represent any kind of revenge after their duels earlier in the year. Instead, he welcomed the competition. “I wouldn't call it revenge. I always enjoy these kinds of battles.”
He added: “I know he's a very strong rider, he proved it at the Giro with all his stage wins, and last year as well. For me, it's always a great source of motivation to have a guy like him to compete against, as well as all the other riders in this race.”
Félix SernaCycling Journalist
Félix Serna is a writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2025. He covers professional cycling across both the men’s and women’s calendars, with a focus on UCI rankings, race developments, and rider performance. His work includes interview-based reports, liveblogs, and tournament coverage designed to provide clear, accurate context throughout the season.
In his reporting, Félix regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical reference. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies.
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