The Katusha-Alpecin rider failed to earn a stage victory at the Tour de France this month but put his frustration behind him today.

He owed a lot to the work of his team-mates, who succeeded in pulling back a dogged breakaway in the 183 kilometre one-day race, which was an International Cycling Union WorldTour event for the first time.

The break was initiated by Britain’s Peter Kennaugh, with Italy’s Matteo Trentin and South Africa’s Daryl Impey joining at 60km to go.

While Impey and Kennaugh faded as the race continued, Denmark’s Jasper Stuyven made it across to Trentin to continue to push towards the finish.

The duo would hold on until the closing kilometre of the race, but eventually were caught by the peloton.

Kristoff came through to claim victory in a time of 4 hours, 5min and 42sec, with Denmark's Magnus Cort Nielsen taking second on the same time.

Australia’s Michael Matthews, the Tour de France green jersey winner, finished third for the second straight year.

The second stage of the Tour de Pologne also took place today with Italy’s Sacha Modolo sprinting to victory.

Modolo, who rides for UAE Team Emirates, held off the challenge of The Netherlands’ Danny Van Poppel to triumph in a time of 3:15:21.

The top three was rounded off by Germany’s Max Walscheid, with the front group all receiving the same time as the winner.

Despite missing out on the stage win, Van Poppel had cause for celebration as he took over the race lead.

The Team Sky rider now leads the race from Slovakia’s world champion Peter Sagan and Modolo, with the top three all boasting the same time.

The race lead is expected to change tomorrow with a hilly 161km route from Jaworzno to Szczyrk.