Polga steps up after Ridolfo crash on stage four in Denmark

After three days of strong racing for Team Novo Nordisk at the PostNord Danmark Rundt, the wind changed on stage four as team leader Filippo Ridolfo was caught up in a crash and compatriot Antonio Polga dug deep to take up the key role in the finale in Faaborg.

The 172.6km stage from Rudkøbing to Faaborg featured an undulating route across southern Denmark, with repeated short climbs gradually wearing down the peloton on another demanding day in the saddle. Another windy day across the exposed roads of Funen meant positioning was once again at a premium, with the breakaway taking a long time to establish itself as the peloton worked to control each attempt.

“We tried repeatedly to get in the early attacks,” said Polga. “First a big move of 13 riders went, but that soon came back. Then me and Filippo were part of a front split of around 40 riders but that one was brought back too. When the seven guys went we missed it — and that’s the move that stayed away.”

Polga saw his teammate go down but was powerless to help at the speed the bunch was moving, and found himself thrust into the unfamiliar role of team sprinter in a sprint that ultimately never was, as a late attack from the breakaway sealed the stage and left the peloton frustrated.

“After Filippo crashed I was at the front and just tried my best,” said Polga with characteristic honesty. “You can look at me and see I’m not a sprinter — I don’t have the explosive power to compete at the end of a race like this. But it was fun and I enjoyed the opportunity to go full gas.”

With the final stage tomorrow — a 126km ride from Køge to Rødovre on the outskirts of Copenhagen — the team will be hoping Ridolfo has recovered sufficiently to give one last push at their home race.