KRAKOW, Poland, Aug 8, 2009 (AFP) – Italy’s Alessandro Ballan, of the Lampre team, won the 66th edition of the Tour of Poland here on Saturday after the seventh and final stage.

The 136km stage, from Rabka to Krakow, was won by Germany’s Andre Greipel of the Columbia squad.

World champion Ballan wasn’t assured of victory before Saturday’s mountainous finale having only an 11sec lead over closest rival Advald Boasson Hagen of Norway, who had won the two of the earlier stages of the race.

But the Norwegian failed to make any impression on the peloton and Ballan could breathe easy with Daniel Moreno Fernandez of Spain eventually edging Boasson Hagen for second spot overall, 10sec behind.

“The fifth stage leading out of Krynica was decisive. I won that and took the yellow jersey,” said Ballan.

“It was my first victory since the world championships last year and it’s an important victory because I have had some health problems and a mediocre season.”

Stage
1. Andre Greipel (GER/Columbia), 136 km in 2 hr 55min 39sec, 2. Christopher Sutton (AUS) s.t., 3. Wouter Weylandt (BEL) s.t., 4. Matthew Harley Goss (AUS) s.t., 5. Matthe Pronk (NED) s.t.

Overall
1. Alessandro Ballan (ITA/Lampre) 28 hr 46min 13sec, 2. Daniel Moreno Fernandez (ESP) at 10, 3. Advald Boasson Hagen (NOR/Columbia) 11, 4. Pieter Weening (NED) 12, 5. Francesco Reda (ITA) 16