Jonathan Milan celebrates an incredible hat trick

Jonathan Milan continues to have an edge in the sprint. The Italian champion from Lidl’Trek claimed his third victory in three stages at the Tour of Poland on Wednesday, dominating the stage that started in Gorzów Wielkopolski and finished in Zielona Góra after a 193.5-kilometer route. It was a day that once again confirmed his simply devastating form.

The day’s breakaway, consisting of six riders, tried to hold on, but the peloton closed every gap, catching the escapees less than four kilometers from the finish line. From there, the script played out just as it has time and again in this Tour of Poland: the Friulian giant’s burst of power proved decisive for the victory.

Milan outpaced Noah Hobbs (EF Education’EasyPost) and Alessandro Romele (XDS Astana Team) in the sprint, completing a hat trick that establishes him as the race’s undisputed star. Also worth noting is the fifth-place finish by another Italian rider, Daniel Skerl of Bahrain Victorious.

In the general classification, Milan solidifies his lead with an 18″ advantage over Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) and 20″ over Hobbs. In fourth place is another Italian, Romele, 26″ behind the rider from Friuli. Thursday’s stage, 175.5 kilometers from Zagan to Karpacz, is expected to shake things up: the route includes two Category 1 climbs (Borowice and the first ascent of Karpacz), making a fourth consecutive stage win for Milan highly unlikely—though his Tour of Poland is already a success, no matter how it turns out.