“The muscles are a bit stiff, so I didn't have the best legs" - Tobias Foss unable to taste victory in potentially final time-trial as world champion

In what was his final time-trial wearing the Rainbow Jersey before the upcoming Glasgow World Championships, Tobias Foss was unable to taste victory at the Tour de Pologne.

"I'm not one hundred per cent in shape, I'm missing some recovery between the races," said the Norwegian of Jumbo-Visma to Wielerflits post-stage. “The muscles are a bit stiff, so I didn't have the best legs. But I did my best and in the end I think the power was there. I am happy with today. I'm looking forward to the World Championship. With a good week of rest, I think the form should be really good.”

Finishing 9th, 21 seconds down on the eventual winner of the stage Mattia Cattaneo, Foss didn't have the ideal final race as world champion. “When you enter such a course, you always have ambitions. I'm always confident in my time trial these days. Even if my form is not 100 per cent, I can finish in the top ten," he continues. "That was also what I expected. But I also knew that something special had to happen if I wanted to compete for the victory. In the end I am happy. This was the most realistic outcome.”

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Heading to Scotland however, Foss remains optimistic. “The distance suits me well. It seems hilly, but more in a sloping way. It'll be cool to see what it's really like on the spot," he previews. "But the distance suits me well, it's almost an hour. If it is also a tough ride, where you have to keep your pace, that is also good for me.”