Olav Kooij lost his leader’s jersey in the Tour de Poland on Tuesday. The Dutchman had to let go in the second stage on a difficult climb.
Paul Lapeira was the first to reach the top in Karpacz after 149.4 kilometers. The Frenchman stayed two seconds ahead of the Czech Mathias Vacek and the Monegasque Victor Langelotti.
Sam Oomen was the best Dutchman in 27th place. The 29-year-old rider from Lidl-Trek conceded more than half a minute to Lapeira.
In the general classification, Lapeira takes over the lead from Kooij. The 25-year-old rider from Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale has a six-second lead over number two Vacek.
Kooij had seized the leader’s jersey on Monday. Then the 23-year-old sprinter from Visma-Lease a Bike sprinted to victory in the opening stage.
The Tour de Poland lasts until Sunday. The seven-day stage race continues on Wednesday with a hilly stage over 159.3 kilometers from and to Walbrzych.