Michal Kwiatkowski
Nationality: Polish
Date of birth: June 2, 1990
Height: 176cm
Weight: 68kg
Team: Team Ineos
Twitter: @michalkwiatek
2014 world champion Michal Kwiatkowski is one of several Polish riders at the top of the WorldTour, as the nation enjoys a stunning cycling resurgence in recent years.
Along with Rafal Majka, Przemysław Niemiec, Bartosz Huzarski and Marcin Białobłocki, Kwiatkowski is leading a new generation of Polish riders on the world stage. But the Team Ineos rider is the best of the current crop, having performed consistently in a variety of races and taken wins at Milan-San Remo, Strade Bianche, Amstel Gold Race and Volta ao Algarve.
An impressive 11th in his debut Tour de France in 2013, Kwiatkowski went on to better things in 2015 with a more focused programme. Attacking the spring Classics, he won Strade Bianche by riding away from Peter Sagan before placing top five in all three of the Ardennes classics.
>>> Michal Kwiatkowski: my year as world champion
Kwiatkowski made a mockery of the so-called curse of the rainbow jersey in 2015, winning the Paris-Nice prologue en route to the young rider's jersey, followed by fourth in the Tour of Flanders and victory in the Amstel Gold Race, finishing a respectable eight in the World Championship road race, three seconds behind Peter Sagan.
In 2017, Kwiatkowski enjoyed his biggest win to date, claiming Milan-San Remo ahead of Sagan after winning Strade Bianche for a second time earlier in the season. The Pole went on to regain his Time Trialling national jersey as he smashed the Polish national championships for the first time since 2014.
2018 also was a successful year, with wins at Tirreno-Adriatico, the Tour de Pologne and Volta ao Algarve. He also played an important role in Thomas' win in the Tour de France.
Whilst 2019 hasn't seen as dazzling results, there has still been much to celebrate, with the Pole often being seen at the pointy end of the race during the TdF, with teammate Bernal taking the overall victory.
Major results: 2017 Milan-San Remo | 2017 Strade Bianche | 2015 Amstel Gold Race | 2015 Paris-Nice prologue | 2014 UCI road world championship | 2014 Strade Bianche | 2014 Volta ao Algarve
Latest
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'You have to wait with the euphoria' — Michał Kwiatkowski after photo-finish win at the Amstel Gold Race
Second year in a row that Dutch race is decided on the line in Valkenburg
By Adam Becket Last updated
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Pascal Ackermann sprints to victory on Critérium du Dauphiné stage two as Impey takes overall lead
Race leader Kwiatkowski crashed with just over a kilometre remaining and was able to get to the finish of stage two
By Richard Windsor Published
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Michal Kwiatkowski wins Paris-Nice prologue
Kwiatkowski starts Monday's stage one in the yellow leader's jersey after riding to victory on the 6.7km prologue course
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Michal Kwiatkowski wins Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana
More early-season success for Omega Pharma-QuickStep as Michal Kwiatkowski wins third day of Mallorca Challenge
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Michal Kwiatkowski 'likely' to join Sky, says agent
World champion Michal Kwiatkowski is just one of a number of signings the British team could be looking to make for 2016
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"It was hard to abandon Tour de France in rainbow stripes," says Kwiatkowski
Michal Kwiatkowski explains why he had to abandon the Tour de France on stage 17 and thanked his Etixx-Quick-Step teammates for their support
By Stuart Clarke Published
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Not possible to do full cobbled Classics and Ardennes campaign, says Michal Kwiatkowski
The former world champion says he had to prioritise the Ardennes races and skip most of the cobbled Classics this year, except the Tour of Flanders
By Gregor Brown Published
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Polish commentators go mad over Kwiatkowski win (video)
Polish commentators lose it as they watch Michal Kwiatkowski take the rainbow jersey
By Cycling Weekly Published
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Flood of tributes to ‘true inspiration’ Nico Portal
A flood of tributes have already poured in to “true inspiration” Nicolas Portal after his death, aged 40.
By Alex Ballinger Published