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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Michal Kwiatkowski braves heavy snow and freezing temperatures to recon Milan-San Remo (video)
Michal Kwiatkowski looks seriously motivated to defend his Milan-San Remo title after heading out for a recon in heavy snow and freezing temperatures.
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Michal Kwiatkowski moves closer to Tirreno-Adriatico victory
Michal Kwiatkowski minimises losses against rivals on stage four of Tirreno-Adriatico
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Michal Kwiatkowski: my year as world champion
The 24-year-old’s all-round ability helped him slip the pack to take an epic solo World Championship win in Ponferrada last year. He spoke to CW about life with the rainbow bands and his imminent title defence
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Michal Kwiatkowski thanks Peter Kennaugh for setting him up for Vuelta red jersey
Peter Kennaugh helped his teammate Michal Kwiatkowski to fourth place in the sprint on the second stage of the Vuelta a España and a stint in the red jersey
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Cancellara, Kwiatkowski, Valverde: Star-studded top 10 on second day of Challenge Mallorca
Big names in the top 10 of the Trofeo Andratx, the second day of the Challenge Mallorca as Gianluca Brambilla takes solo victory
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Kwiatkowski to Sagan: 'Sometimes you win by being the smartest, not the strongest'
The 2017 Milan-San Remo winner responds to Sagan's comments over how he won the Italian Monument
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Cavendish and Kwiatkowski to race Tour de San Luis
Omega Pharma - Quick-Step announce both Mark Cavendish and Michal Kwiatkowski will be starting their 2015 season at the Tour de San Luis.
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Michal Kwiatkowski settles for second after 'unbeatable' Rohan Dennis wins Vuelta opener
The Pole sits in just six seconds down in second position ahead of the opening road stages
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'Hopefully I can find joy from riding my bike’: Michał Kwiatkowski will skip next race after disappointing Tour de France
Michał Kwiatkowski will skip his next race after struggling through the 2019 season, which resulted in a disappointing performance at the Tour de France.
