The German sprinter, who rides for the Bahrain Victorious cycling team, finished ahead of Colombia’s Álvaro Hodeg and France’s Hugo Hofstetter in the annual race's 217 km first leg between the eastern Polish cities of Lublin and Chełm.
Meanwhile, former Polish road race champion Michał Paluta claimed two of the day’s three mountain bonuses and grabbed the best climber's jersey.
The second leg of the 78th Tour de Pologne will see cyclists cover a 201 km route starting in the city of Zamość and ending in Przemyśl not far from Poland's eastern border with Ukraine.
The remaining stages of the 2021 Tour de Pologne end in Rzeszów, Bukowina Tatrzańska, Bielsko-Biała, Katowice and the historic city of Kraków.
More than 150 riders from 22 teams based in various countries are taking part in the seven-stage 1,140-km race, which runs until August 15.
(gs)
Source: TVP, PAP