Majka second Pole ever to win Tour de France stage

Saxo Tinkoff procycling team rider Rafal Majka of Poland celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the 14th stage of the 101st Tour de France 2014 cycling race, over 177 km from Grenoble to Risoul, in France, 19 July: photos - EPA/YOAN VALAT

The 24 year-old rider - freed from responsibility of looking after his Tinkoff-Saxo leader and tour-favourite Alberto Contador after he crashed out earlier in the tour - broke away from the group including yellow jersey wearer Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) 10 kilometres from the finish in Risoul on Saturday.

“He had a great ride on this climb and he's got a great future,” three-time tour winner Greg LeMond told Eurosport after Majka became the first Pole to win a stage since Zenon Jaskuła took stage 16 at the 1993 'grand boucle'.

With Contador, the team leader, crashing out of the tour, Majka has been freed to seek stage victories in the mountains, where Majka shines, which included going over the the cruel Col de l’Izoard on stage 14.

“I needed to break away early and fight. And I won,” Majka said before taking the podium, alongside Nibala, who was second today and France's Peraud Christophe Peraud (Ag2r-La Mondiale) in third.

Nibali remains in a dominating position in the yellow jersey, 04.37 ahead of second placed Alejandro Valverde (Movistar).

Majka can take a 'rest' on Sunday's stage 15, as it is flat and will be won by a sprint specialist, before the race enters the Pyrenees.

The Tour de France finishes in Paris next Sunday. (pg)