Archie Ryan makes presence felt in Poland, Thibau Nys pulls trigger | Video

Thibau Nys took the stage win, after a brilliant finishing kick up the climb, with Ireland's Archie Ryan also stepping up in the final (Photo: Szymon Gruchalski)

Archie Ryan (EF Education-EasyPost) has put on a strong climbing display on the opening stage of Tour de Pologne in what is his first race after a month away from the peloton.

Though neither the Irish rider, nor his team mates, managed to take the stage win - which went to a very impressive Thibau Nys (Lidl-Trek) - Ryan looked very strong when he took charge at the front of the reduced peloton during the hilly final.

It was clear the Irishman was working for team mate Lukas Nerurkar, who came through for 3rd place, but just couldn't hold Nys when he made his move inside 500m to go. And though Ryan lost 57 seconds after his work was done on the front, he made a strong impression.

On the final climb of the day - some 3.2km at 6.5 per cent to the finish line in Karpacz - it was 20-year-old Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates) who attacked, matched all the way by Wilco Kelderman (Visma-Lease a Bike).

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Ryan Mullen of Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe, third in line, back on the front of the bunch with his trade team after his Olympic debut for Ireland (Photo: Szymon Gruchalski)

As they eked out a gap, which never went above 5-10 seconds, on what remained of the main field, Ryan hit the front for the best part of 2km and began reeling them in.

However, when Christen continued to attack Kelderman as it looked like they were about to be caught, the gap opened again, only for Ryan to keep plugging away, dragging the reduced group closer to the two attackers.

He nearly had them caught when Kelderman decided to take it up about 400m from the finish neared. That move by Kelederman, which instantly distanced Christen, caused a reaction from the front of the group behind, with Ryan passed and distanced a little.

Nys made his move inside 500m to go, and though Nerurkar moved with him, he never got on to the Belgian's wheel. Nys flew ahead, catching and passing Kelderman to take a very strong win on what was a grippy finish.

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Though Kelderman was then caught by Nerurkar, the Dutch rider still managed to beat the Briton for 2nd place. That duo finished just three seconds behind Nys, who could have added a little to his advantage but for sitting up a little early to enjoy his win.

Just behind the top three, Tour de France runner-up Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) showed signs of coming back to form. He took 4th place, at the front of five riders all six seconds down on the stage winner, Nys, who is now the first race leader of the 2024 edition.

For his part, Ryan drifted backwards once his work in the final was done, finishing in 33rd, some 57 seconds down on winner Nys.

Ryan Mullen (Red Bull-Bore-hansgrohe) is also in the race - back to lead-out duties after a very strong Olympics. He placed 134th at 8:38 and finished alongside fellow lead-out man Danny van Poppel and their sprinter Jordi Meus.

Also in action, after abandoning the Tour de France in the last week, is Ireland's Sam Bennett (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale). Today's course was never going to suit him and he finished 140th at 8:52. He will look for sprint opportunities later in the week.

The race continues tomorrow, Tuesday, with a 15.4km TT from Mysłakowice to Karpacz, which is uphill for much of the way and may suit Vingegaard.

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