Michal Kwiatkowski: It's going to be difficult to top 2017 success
The former world champion says he'll return to the cobbles during his spring campaign
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Michal Kwiatkowski enjoyed his most successful year as a professional rider in 2017 with Team Sky, but says he'll do everything to try and top it despite admitting that it'll be a 'difficult' challenge.
The Pole had a storming spring campaign last year, claiming victory in Strade Bianche before winning his first Monument at Milan-San Remo. He followed that up with podiums in the Ardennes; second place behind Philippe Gilbert at the Amstel Gold Race and third behind Alejandro Valverde and Dan Martin at Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
Kwiatkowski then put aside his own ambitions to help Chris Froome to a fourth Tour de France title, performing superbly as a super domestique throughout the three weeks. It was back to winning ways shortly after though, with victory in the prestigious Clásica San Sebastián in August.
The 27-year-old, who won the World Championships road race in 2014 before moving to Team Sky in 2016 from Quick-Step, says he'll be looking for further improvement in the coming season and potentially adding further Monument titles to his palmarès. He's set to begin his season at the end of this month with the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana in Spain.
“If you think about the next season then the first thing you are thinking about is improvements," Kwiatkowski said.
David de la Cruz: 'Team Sky is the best place for me to realise my Grand Tour ambitions'
Wout Poels: 'I haven't spoken much with Froome. He's got other things to do at the moment'
"Of course it can be difficult to repeat the results I got in 2017, but of course I will be there to train harder, to race better, to race smarter.
"Let’s hope that will bring even more victories than I had. If you look at my race calendar for sure that’s going to be quite similar to the previous season. Of course in the first part I’d love to aim to win Liège-Bastogne-Liège – a race I still haven’t been able to win in my career. That’s going to be the first big goal. On top of that races like Strade Bianche and (Milan-) San Remo again."
In his first year at Sky, Kwiatkowski showed immediate success with victory early in the season on the cobbles at E3 Harelbeke before going on with hopes of victory at the Tour of Flanders. His season began to decline from there though, and he showed poor form in his fleeting appearances through the summer and was unable to finish the Vuelta a España.
He said Sky didn't give up on him despite his underwhelming start with the team, and thanks to his rejuvenation in 2017, is now plotting a return to the cobbled Classics and a potential top-spot in Flanders before potential back to back Grand Tour rides at the Tour and Vuelta.
"I hope in 2018 to be back on the cobbles, and Tour of Flanders is a race I hope I can race again," Kwiatkowski said.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MZnliChhNs
"That’s the first part of the year, and then there’s the Tour and I’d love to be back racing with Team Sky for the victory. I think a big change would be if I could put a second Grand Tour in a single season. So after the Tour let’s hope I can race the Vuelta and then prepare as best as I can for the World Champs in Austria.
“I was just missing cobbles," he added.
"Classics for me are pure racing and Tour of Flanders is just an amazing race. I was able to race there before, even for Team Sky in 2016, the week before I won (E3) Harelbeke and I was one of the favourites for the win.
"I believe I have the ability to fight for the victory. "
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
-
'It's the ultimate drop bar bike' - Mosaic Cycles introduces new RT-1 model
Mosaic, the builders of custom titanium dream bikes, today unveiled a "sleeker, more capable" version of its flagship road racer, the RT-1
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Cannondale Topstone loses 160g with new Lab71 edition
American bike brand gives its flagship gravel bike the high-end carbon treatment
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
Tom Pidcock: 'It won’t be difficult to beat my 2022 Classics results'
Ineos Grenadiers' multi-format star ready for central role in one-day racing this Spring
By Adam Becket • Published
-
No Egan Bernal at Paris-Nice as knee injury disrupts season
Former Tour de France champion "OK" but return is unknown at the moment
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Global backers in talks over new British WorldTour team
Former management of Ribble Weldtite courting interest in new project
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I remember the crowds more than anything': Tom Pidcock recalls his Alpe d'Huez Tour de France stage win
Our male rider of the year, Tom Pidcock, talks us through the highs and lows of his 2022 campaign
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Leo Hayter, Cycling Weekly's rising star of 2022, talks through his season in the spotlight
We caught up with the winner of the "Baby Giro" to hear all about the win in Italy and his dream move to Ineos Grenadiers
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers release 'visibly fast' 2023 jersey
Navy is replaced with red as British team changes its look
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Where next for Mark Cavendish after B & B Hotels-KTM's collapse?
We look at where the ‘Manx Missile’ could find himself next after the collapse of B & B Hotels-KTM
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
‘It’s a good thing and shows progression of the sport’ - Ben Swift hails changes at British Cycling academy
Ineos Grenadier says putting academy riders in with development teams will encourage development of many skills
By Tom Thewlis • Published