“They came back for free” – Teams lodge complaints against Ben Turner’s Tour de Pologne victory

Ben Turner claimed victory on Stage 3 of the Tour de Pologne, but controversy quickly followed. A major crash in the peloton led race organizers to temporarily neutralise the stage. That decision allowed many riders, Turner among them, to rejoin the front group after being dropped earlier. Now, Turner’s win is being questioned by rival teams, with Polish outlet TVP Sport reporting several formal complaints.

Team Visma | Lease a Bike’s Menno Huising didn’t hold back. “The only shame is that a group of about thirty riders was able to rejoin the peloton, even though they had already been dropped. We had ridden all out for them, and they came back 'for free.' Ultimately, we're the ones who suffer the consequences," he said. Huising said he had been in good position along with teammate Matthew before the crash changed everything.

"Everything looked perfect. It was a very tough stage and Matthew and I were still in a good position. If we survived one more climb, I could support Matthew to fight for the stage win."

Safety officials neutralized the race after the crash, a call Huising acknowledged. “Let me start by saying that I think it was the right decision to neutralise the race, because safety comes first," he said.

Among those injured was UAE Team Emirates rider Filippo Baroncini. “Unfortunately, Filippo Baroncini was injured in a crash today during stage 3 of the Tour of Poland. He sustained multiple facial injuries, including a fractured cervical vertebra (with no neurological sequelae) and fractures to his face and collarbone,” said team doctor Adrian Rotunno. “He is currently being treated in the hospital and is under the supervision of our medical team.”

Stage 4 resumes today, starting in Rybnik and finishing in Ciezyn. At 200 kilometers, the route offers plenty of opportunity for the sprinters, though early climbs could thin the field before the finale.