Team Sky's Michal Kwiatkowski stormed to victory in the Polish Road National Championships individual time trial, beating the second placed rider Marcin Bialoblocki (CCC Sprandi Polkowice) by 1-15 over the 39.6km course.
>>> British Road National Championships 2017 time trial start list
The 27-year-old former world road race champion clocked 49-42 over the course in Krokowa, claiming his second national time trial title with Bialoblocki in second and defending champion Maciej Bodnar further back at 1-31 in third place.
Kwiatkoski last won the national time trial title in 2014, and having won the road race title in 2013, will be looking to double up again on national championship wins with the road race this weekend.
He'll likely debut his new time trial colours in the opening 14km time trial of the 2017 Tour de France in Düsseldorf, Germany. Though Team Sky are yet to confirm their line-up for the Tour, Kwiatkowski is a strong favourite to line-up in support of Chris Froome after a phenomenal season.
The Pole won his first Monument in an unexpected victory at Milan-San Remo, having taken a second career victory at Strade Bianche not long before in March.
He then narrowly missed out on a second career victory at the Amstel Gold Race, where he finished runner-up to Philippe Gilbert (Quick-Step), before rounding of the Ardennes Classics with third place at Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
Kwiatkowski then resumed racing after the Ardennes at the Critérium du Dauphiné in early June, putting in a strong showing in support of Froome in the mountains.
Despite all that, Kwiatkowski said Wednesday's win in his home championships was one of his strongest rides ever.
"Today was one of my best days ever on a bike," he said after the finish.
"I felt very strong from the start, despite it beginning uphill and with a headwind. I had great support from my family and (Team Sky carer) Marek Sawicki."
National championships around the world take place the week, with most time trials taking places on Wednesday and Thursday and road races this coming weekend on Friday and Saturday.
Thank you for reading 20 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
-
-
We need you! Nominations for 2023 Cycling Weekly awards open
Nominate your club or a local volunteer to recognise the best in British cycling
-
Cycling keeps you fit but are you doing enough to stay healthy?
It’s possible to be very fit in one specific way, for example being fast on a bike, while being unhealthy in other ways
-
'I thought I was more in the door than I was' - Luke Rowe bares all on Vuelta a España snub
Welshman will not race a Grand Tour this year after he missed out on selection by Ineos Grenadiers
-
‘I hope I get a cow’ - Josh Tarling aiming for the top prize at World Championships
Welshman competing in elite men’s individual time trial on Friday afternoon
-
'All being well I’ll still be racing next year' but 'it's coming to an end' - Geraint Thomas on Ineos Grenadiers future
'It's nice to be arriving at a Worlds in decent nick' says the Welshman ahead of individual time trial in Stirling
-
Carlos Rodriguez credits BMX skills with Tour de France stage win
Ineos Grenadiers rider dedicates his victory to his parents
-
Existentialism to euphoria: Michał Kwiatkowski on his 'unexpected' Tour de France mountain stage win
The Ineos Grenadiers rider did not expect to survive out front, but he held off the GC riders to take second Tour stage win
-
'We just have to keep trying': Ineos Grenadiers ready to attack at the Tour de France
'You never know' British team's DS Steve Cummings says anything is still possible at French Grand Tour
-
Disappointed on stage one, pleased with stage two: Tom Pidcock gaining confidence at Tour de France
Ineos Grenadiers rider satisfied with performance on the road to San Sebastián after difficult opening stage
-
Tom Pidcock: Beating the likes of Pogačar and Vingegaard to a Tour de France stage would be ‘a step up’
Ineos Grenadiers rider heads into second Tour aiming for general classification and stage wins
