Michal Kwiatkowski

By CyclingWeekly Staff

last updated 19 May 2021

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.

'They’re racing with their hearts again' - Robbie McEwen on Ineos Grenadiers' bright start to 2025

The British squad have already won four times in 2025

Ineos Grenadiers win first pro race in 226 days as Michał Kwiatkowski triumphs at Clásica Jaén

It was the Pole's 32nd professional victory, and his first since 2023

By Adam Becket Published 17 February 25
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

By Adam Becket Published 14 July 23

'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 11 April 22
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.

By Henry Robertshaw Published 26 February 18
Michal Kwiatkowski moves closer to Tirreno-Adriatico victory

Michal Kwiatkowski minimises losses against rivals on stage four of Tirreno-Adriatico

By Gregor Brown Published 15 March 14

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

By Hugh Gladstone Published 24 September 15
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

By Gregor Brown Published 21 August 16
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

By Nigel Wynn Published 29 January 16

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

By Gregor Brown Published 13 March 18
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.

By Michael Seymour Published 14 November 14
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

By Richard Windsor Published 25 August 18

'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.

By Alex Ballinger Published 30 July 19
Polish commentators completely lose it over Michal Kwiatkowski’s Milan-San Remo win (video)

Sports commentators are meant to be an unbiased bunch, but try telling that to these Polish commentators who cheered with joy at Kwiatkowski's San-Remo win.

By Henry Robertshaw Published 20 March 17
Michal Kwiatkowski: 'The whole bunch just let Nibali ride away. We fell asleep'

Michal Kwiatkowski, last year's Milan-San Remo winner, says that the group "fell asleep" and let Vincenzo Nibali ride away to win the 2018 edition.

By Gregor Brown Published 17 March 18

Michal Kwiatkowski looks ahead after Amstel Gold Race disappointment

"He will be there again to fight with the biggest riders" says Omega Pharma-QuickStep sports director Tom Steels

By Gregor Brown Published 21 April 14
Michal Kwiatkowski's stellar season reflected in his rise up the WorldTour ranking

After his San Sebastian victory, Michal Kwiatkowski moves up to second in the latest UCI WorldTour ranking behind Greg Van Avermaet

By Nigel Wynn Published 31 July 17
'Olympic road race was the most difficult day in my career,' says Dan Martin

Cyclists in the Olympic road race react to a tough course. For Dan Martin, Michal Kwiatkowski and Joaquim Rodriguez, this was cycling at its most brutal

By Simon Collis Published 6 August 16

Michal Kwiatkowski takes Vuelta a España overall lead as Gianni Meersman wins

Michal Kwiatkowski finished fourth on the stage to move into the overall lead at the Vuelta a España and take the red jersey from his teammate Peter Kennaugh

By Stephen Puddicombe Published 21 August 16
Michal Kwiatkowski smashes ITT to extend lead at the Tour of Algarve

Strong showing from British national time trial champion Alex Dowsett

By Cycling Weekly Published 21 February 14
Michal Kwiatkowski wins Clásica San Sebastián 2017

Former world champion Michal Kwiatkowski finished off a perfect performance for Team Sky with victory in the Basque Country at the Clásica San Sebastián

By Richard Windsor Published 29 July 17

Geraint Thomas and Michał Kwiatkowski cleared to continue after Tour of the Basque Country crash

Julian Alaphilippe left bloodied in same crash but initial indications are good for Deceuninck-Quick-Step’s star

By Peter Cossins Published 10 April 19
Michal Kwiatkowski out of Volta ao Algarve with illness

Michal Kwiatkowski is the third rider to miss races this week with illness as a bug forces him out of the Volta ao Algarve

By Stuart Clarke Published 17 February 16
Team Sky now getting the best out of struggling riders, says Tim Kerrison

Riders who have struggled with injury or adapting to training are finally delivering the goods for Sky, says coach Kerrison

By Peter Cossins Published 22 March 17

Michal Kwiatkowski thanks his helmet after Poggio crash

World champion came down on the descent of the Poggio in Sunday's Milan-San Remo along with teammate Zdenek Stybar

By Richard Windsor Published 22 March 15
Michal Kwiatkowski’s Strava stats show the incredible power it takes to win Milan-San Remo

If you were under any doubt how good Michal Kwiatkowski was at Milan-San Remo, then his Strava stats (including power data) tell the story.

By Henry Robertshaw Published 20 March 17
Power meter analysis: Kwiatkowski's World Champs win

We analyse Michal Kwiatkowski's power data from his solo breakaway victory at the 2014 Road World Championships

By Cycling Weekly Published 6 October 14

Team Sky confirm Tour de France line-up

Sir Dave Brailsford will appear on Sky Sports News to confirm the eight riders who will join Chris Froome at the 2016 Tour de France

By Jack Elton-Walters Published 22 June 16
Michal Kwiatkowski wants to stay at Etixx-Quick-Step despite Team Sky offer

Team Sky are keen to sign World Champion Michal Kwiatkowski, but the Pole is keen to renew his contract at Etixx-Quick-Step

By Stuart Clarke Published 3 July 15
Tour of Britain GC battle not over, says Michal Kwiatkowski

Polish rider believes six-man teams make the event difficult to control.

By Nick Bull Published 10 September 14

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Michal Kwiatkowski

'They’re racing with their hearts again' - Robbie McEwen on Ineos Grenadiers' bright start to 2025

Ineos Grenadiers win first pro race in 226 days as Michał Kwiatkowski triumphs at Clásica Jaén

Existentialism to euphoria: Michał Kwiatkowski on his 'unexpected' Tour de France mountain stage win

'You have to wait with the euphoria' — Michał Kwiatkowski after photo-finish win at the Amstel Gold Race

Michal Kwiatkowski braves heavy snow and freezing temperatures to recon Milan-San Remo (video)

Michal Kwiatkowski moves closer to Tirreno-Adriatico victory

Michal Kwiatkowski: my year as world champion

Michal Kwiatkowski thanks Peter Kennaugh for setting him up for Vuelta red jersey

Cancellara, Kwiatkowski, Valverde: Star-studded top 10 on second day of Challenge Mallorca

Kwiatkowski to Sagan: 'Sometimes you win by being the smartest, not the strongest'

Cavendish and Kwiatkowski to race Tour de San Luis

Michal Kwiatkowski settles for second after 'unbeatable' Rohan Dennis wins Vuelta opener

'Hopefully I can find joy from riding my bike’: Michał Kwiatkowski will skip next race after disappointing Tour de France

Polish commentators completely lose it over Michal Kwiatkowski’s Milan-San Remo win (video)

Michal Kwiatkowski: 'The whole bunch just let Nibali ride away. We fell asleep'

Michal Kwiatkowski looks ahead after Amstel Gold Race disappointment

Michal Kwiatkowski's stellar season reflected in his rise up the WorldTour ranking

'Olympic road race was the most difficult day in my career,' says Dan Martin

Michal Kwiatkowski takes Vuelta a España overall lead as Gianni Meersman wins

Michal Kwiatkowski smashes ITT to extend lead at the Tour of Algarve

Michal Kwiatkowski wins Clásica San Sebastián 2017

Geraint Thomas and Michał Kwiatkowski cleared to continue after Tour of the Basque Country crash

Michal Kwiatkowski out of Volta ao Algarve with illness

Team Sky now getting the best out of struggling riders, says Tim Kerrison

Michal Kwiatkowski thanks his helmet after Poggio crash

Michal Kwiatkowski’s Strava stats show the incredible power it takes to win Milan-San Remo

Power meter analysis: Kwiatkowski's World Champs win

Team Sky confirm Tour de France line-up

Michal Kwiatkowski wants to stay at Etixx-Quick-Step despite Team Sky offer

Tour of Britain GC battle not over, says Michal Kwiatkowski