Stage 6 of the Tour de Pologne covers 125.5 km from Bukovina Resort to Bukowina Tatrzańska, finishing atop a hilly summit that will reward puncheurs and all-rounders over pure climbers. The 2.UWT classification ensures a strong international field, while the relatively short distance encourages aggressive racing from the gun. Expect a late selection on the final climb with a reduced sprint among the best hill riders.
★★★★
Top Favorite
Andrea Bagioli is the clear pick at the top of the market. His Hills stat of 77 is matched by excellent recent form — a win and two podiums in seven similar races with an average of 12.3 — making him the most complete package in this field for a hilly drag finish.
Lidl-Trek
Lidl-Trek
Andrea Bagioli tops the form charts among the strongest hills riders, averaging 12.3 in similar-profile races with a win and two podiums in seven outings. His Hills rating of 77 and consistent recent results make him the standout favorite for this hilly finish at Bukowina Tatrzańska.
★★★
Strong Contenders
Santiago Buitrago and Neilson Powless both hold Hills ratings of 77 and 76 respectively, with Buitrago's Climbing score of 77 particularly relevant if the final climb steepens. Powless brings a win and a podium from three recent similar outings, underlining his finishing punch.
EF - EasyPost
EF - EasyPost
Neilson Powless combines a solid Hills rating of 76 with excellent recent form — averaging 21.7 across three similar races including a win and a podium. His ability to perform on punchy finishes makes him a genuine threat.
Bahrain Victorious
Bahrain Victorious
Santiago Buitrago posts a Hills score of 77 paired with a Climbing score of 77, making him ideally suited to a hilly drag finish. With no upcoming races listed to distract focus, he should arrive fresh and motivated.
★★
Dark Horses
Finn Fisher-Black, Christian Scaroni, and Paul Lapeira all sit in the Hills 76 bracket and have demonstrated consistency in similar-profile events. Scaroni's six top-10s from ten outings and Lapeira's recent podium give this trio a realistic claim on the minor placings.
XDS Astana
XDS Astana
Christian Scaroni holds a Hills rating of 77 and has been consistently present in hilly races — six top-10 finishes in ten similar outings with a best of 3rd. His steady accumulation of results points to a high floor on this terrain.
Red Bull - BORA
Red Bull - BORA
Finn Fisher-Black (Hills 76) has been active in similar-profile races, averaging 29.8 with a best of 2nd and three top-10s in six starts. His upcoming World Championships appearance suggests he is in peak mid-season form.
Decathlon CMA CGM
Decathlon CMA CGM
Paul Lapeira (Hills 76) averaged 21.2 across five similar-profile races and claimed a podium, suggesting he knows how to finish well on undulating terrain. A busy post-race calendar indicates he is riding in excellent condition right now.
★
Ones to Watch
João Almeida's Hills 78 is the best in the field, but his Vuelta preparation and role as a GC leader suggest limited aggression here. Axel Laurance and Maximilian Schachmann are capable on this terrain but lack decisive recent form, while Marceli Boguslawski is a wildcard — outstanding recent results but a Hills stat of just 65 limits his ceiling.
INEOS Grenadiers
INEOS Grenadiers
Axel Laurance (Hills 77) has seven top-10 finishes in similar races but averages only 32.2, suggesting inconsistency. He heads to the Vuelta after this, so his ambitions here may be limited to support duties for INEOS.
UAE Emirates
UAE Emirates
João Almeida carries the highest Hills stat in the field at 78 and boasts a Climbing score of 80, but his upcoming Vuelta a España suggests this race may be a stepping stone rather than a target. Still dangerous if motivated.
ATT Investments
ATT Investments
Marceli Boguslawski is the standout form rider in similar-profile races — averaging 5.0 across three races with a win and two podiums — but his Hills stat of 65 puts him well below the top tier. A genuine dark horse if the race breaks up early.
Soudal Quick-Step
Soudal Quick-Step
Maximilian Schachmann brings a Hills rating of 77 and excellent all-round numbers, and the Soudal Quick-Step team has resources to play the race aggressively. No dominant recent form in similar races means he remains an outside bet.
Verdict
Andrea Bagioli is the top favorite, combining a Hills rating of 77 with the best recent form among the high-rated contenders — one win and two podiums in seven similar-profile races. Santiago Buitrago and Neilson Powless are the chief challengers, each capable of matching Bagioli on a punchy uphill finish.