Cycling: George Bennett finishes fourth at Tour of Poland

George Bennett launched several attacks once again on the final stage of the Tour of Poland. Photo / Getty

George Bennett has finished just short of his second podium finish at World Tour level, claiming fourth overall at the Tour of Poland.

Bennett was again heavily involved on the final stage, launching a volley of attacks, but in the end his fifth-place finish on the stage saw him leapfrogged by Simon Yates and Thibaut Pinot on the overall standings.

Yates won the stage, counter-attacking with 10 kilometres to go after Bennett's initial efforts, and escaping to take the solo victory. Bennett was part of nine riders to cross the line in a group 12 seconds later, but Pinot picked up six bonus seconds after sprinting for second place, knocking Bennett off the podium.

Polish rider Michal Kwiatkowski won his home race, coming across the line in Bennett's group to hold on to his overall lead, and winning the Tour by 15 seconds.

#TP2018 - Final GC pic.twitter.com/2h42Ijmvbo

— La Flamme Rouge (@laflammerouge16) August 10, 2018

Despite coming up short of a final berth on the podium steps, Bennett can take plenty from the Tour, showing his prowess on the types of climbs he's set to see at the Vuelta a Espana in a fortnight.

He was the aggressor on the final stages of the Tour, this morning once again attacking on the penultimate climb. Bennett unleashed several attacks of which only four other riders could follow, but, just like on the previous stage, it wasn't quite enough to take a rare stage victory.

That honour went to Yates, who is one of the bookmakers' favourites for the Vuelta, while Bennett's impressive showing has seen him leap from outrageous prices into the top 10 favourites.

Bennett, who has now finished in the top 11 in all six of his stage races this year, will be aiming to go better than his 10th place at the Vuelta in 2016, and improve on his eighth place earlier this year at the Giro d'Italia.

Whether he can sustain this form and peak during the latter stages of the Vuelta will be determined, but from what he's shown in Poland, there are plenty of promising signs ahead of the year's final Grand Tour.