Rafal Majka defied the odds when he held off the combined Movistar challenge from Ion Izagirre and Benat Intxausti to win the Tour de Pologne overall. Going into the race, he had promised his compatriots to win his home race and was pleased to have come up with the goods.

Tinkoff-Saxo’s rising star Rafal Majka was leading the Tour of Poland before today’s 25 kilometer long and rather flat time trial in and around Krakow. With two stage wins in the pocket, Majka was brimming with confidence but the big question was whether or not it was enough to defend the overall lead.

However, there was no doubt as he shot through the streets of Krakow and onto the cobbled finishing straight where he finished 13th position on the stage, which was enough to secure the overall win in his home country.

"First of all I have to thank my teammates;" he said. "This week they stayed on the front full gas for me. Also I have thank my family and the Polish people who stood alongside the roads and screamed my name. I'm so happy.

"Last year when I did this race I was 4th, these people made me feel like I won this race. I promised that I would win this year's Tour of Poland and I did it. I'm so happy. I won two stages here in my country and the general classification, there are no words to describe the joy.

"But I didn't win alone. My teammates and staff helped me and I'm thrilled that I have three-year contract with Tinkoff-Saxo who supported me so well. When you want to win, you have to fight and I did, as I did yesterday, when I went full gas, attacked, and won my second stage to also take the yellow jersey as race leader.

"When I started the time trial today I still only led by some seconds, but I will able to battle and win the Tour of Poland. My family, my girlfriend, my teammates, and my Polish public, I dedicate this win to them.

"Now, after preparing for the Giro, the Tour de France and the Tour de Pologne, after the USA Pro Challenge in Colorado I will need to rest after a long period of hard work."

Of course, DS, Tristan Hoffman was all smiles after the podium ceremony:

“It has been a magnificent ride," he said. "Not just today but the whole week has been awesome in terms of teamwork and dedication. Everyone’s been working any targeting the same goal providing Rafal with the support he needed to succeed overall. And today, he paid back.

"He was incredibly focused and I think he rode the TT of his life. The spectators here made it feel like Tour de France and I’m sure they’re partly responsible for Rafal’s powerful ride today. He truly deserves this win."