On Sunday “Flower” in style reached the Spanish Ponferrada after world title. Never before has no Polish team failed to win the event among professionals. For this 24-year-old Kwiatkowski, a native of Działynia circle Golub-Dobrzyn, became the youngest world champion in 15 years.
With Mini Tour de Pologne to the great cycling
Slowly meet another player dreams of inconspicuous yet children face. One of these was the establishment of the first leader’s jersey of the Tour de Pologne. This he succeeded in 2012. While there he brought her to the finish line, it was lucky, because it could go. This event has a special significance for him. It was during her achieved his first big success. A few years ago he took part in the Mini Tour de Pologne, which, as is usually done before the race professionals.
– We chased in Gdansk and for me it was kind of a dream come true. I finished the race in second place, it was a great experience! Idea and formula Mini Tour de Pologne is great. I am glad that now takes place on at each stage of the Tour de Pologne – he said.
In 2006 one of the stages of the Tour de Pologne ran through his hometown – Toruń. He was then 16 years old. Kwiatkowski was then the route and collect water bottles thrown by professional cyclists teams.
– I remember that speed, colors , the sound of rushing bikes. Unforgettable moments – he recalled.
A few years ago he got the invitation to the presentation of the race from the very Czeslaw Lang. Of course, benefited from it and thus spent a fantastic day with a great whistling world cycling. Today he is one of the biggest stars.
– Then I talked with Mr. Czeslaw Lang, who said, that really believes in me, and sooner or later become ambassador of Polish cycling in the world. Now I know what he meant by saying those words – he said.
The unprecedented talent
Kwiatkowski was in the past world champion and European Junior. He won the junior race of Peace, and his adventure with cycling began 13 years ago. He followed the footsteps of his older brother, who belonged to a small cycling club. In time, however, came to Toruń Cycling Club Pacific, where his coach was Leszek Szyszkowski. In the junior category achieved unprecedented success over the years in the Polish cycling. In addition to being shone on the highway, is this superbly fared well on the track, proving that it is extremely versatile rider. During the European Championships, Track Cycling, which took place in Pruszkow, won years ago bronze medal in the points race.
His career took off in 2011, when he started to race in the team of Lance Armstrong – Radioshack.
Did not start but in the Tour de Pologne in 2011, had already previously reached an agreement on a contract with a group Omega Pharma-Quick Step, which currently runs, did not like his then-employers. It was supposed to be the most important start of his career that the 21-year-old player. Not discouraged, however.
– I realize that many people puts me hope. The most important in all this is, however, common sense and progress. I think that everything will come. If I put my solidly, it can only be better. I’m glad I did not miss your chance. I took a chance and went for an early age pro. Now I can say that I do not regret – he said in an interview with me last year when I just took TdP.
Friendly hand Michael Gołasia
In 2012, we took part in his first big race – the Giro d’Italia. There is, however, most of the time was doing well. He even thought about it, to turn back, but fortunately the team has a great friend who really supports it. It’s Michal Golas. It was he who, already at the very end of the race, persuaded “Flower”, which was almost packed to but changed his mind. And as it turned out, it paid off. At the final stage Kwiatkowski was 12.
Anyway, Golas was one of those who have significantly contributed to the championship World Ponferrada. Kwiatkowski is six years younger, but get along without problems.
– Michael is sometimes like a younger brother . From time to time you need him for something to pay attention. At his age, but old enough that they do not feel the difference in years, what divides us. It’s me more keep watch Michael. He is such a more magnificent and sometimes you have something to tell him, but rather convey him more gently. It is not so that there are quarrels among us – telling Gołaś.
If there is a vigil senior Michael the younger the latter – from time to time – miewałby trouble. For it is sometimes very distracted. Once I even led – unconsciously – to anger his team. Both Torunians spend with each other a very long time. Together because they train in the vicinity of Torun.
After the Giro d’Italia scored more successful performance in the Polish Championship, which took second place in the individual time trial. The mass start race helped for a Gołasiowi, who picked up the gold. This time, Kwiatkowski got a chance to perform in the Tour de Pologne. The young Pole debuted straight explosively. Took second place, and – although it was his success in life – he was not satisfied.
– Second place is not victory – repeated unhappy after the stage, emphasizing the nature of the master.
The method of small steps
I do not want to do anything by force. He was calm, in terms of its development and rather supported the method of small steps.
– For now, I develop a quietly and slowly. Step by step I go but forward. It is most important to me – said Kwiatkowski in conversation with me.
It’s just that these small steps became getting bigger. Year 2013 has already shown that we are dealing with the future star of world cycling.
23-year-old had a great the first part of the season. In the spring a little lacking, but would also on the podium and the Tirreno-Adriatico. There was fourth, but the second was during the Volta ao Algarve.
– This is the result of hard training winter. I worked mainly on the delicate weight loss because it helps me to better climb in the mountains. I ride through the mountains was my weakest point last year. It’s driveways losing the chance to fight for a high place in the overall number of races. Now I know that my work was not in vain. I feel much better in the mountains and thus can not even fight for podiums in the general classification – he said.
Then came the good performances in the classics. The Amstel Gold Race and the Arrow of Walloon was even the leader of your team – Omega Pharma-Quick Step. I did not disappoint expectations. The first start was fourth in the second – fifth. And most importantly the very wise driving. In the same year he also made his debut Tour de France. Finished on the podium three times consecutive “Great Loop”. There was even close to this, to assume the yellow jersey of the race leader. Tour de France finished in 11th position in the “general classification” and third in the classification młodzieżowców. Just before the “Great Loop” was Polish champion. Therefore fulfilled another of his dreams. After the triumph in Sobotka admitted that t-shirt with eagle sure it soar at the Tour de France and so it was.
Before the performance in the national championship but wound up with an unusual injury. When washing a car … he lost a tooth and instead of Corsica, he had to go to the dentist.
– I drove automatic car wash, to rinse the car. I threw a chip, pressed the button and suddenly … the metal nozzle suddenly jumped out of the holder and hit me in the face. The force of impact was so great that broke my tooth – recalled an unpleasant adventure.
Very good season was crowned with the title … world champion. Together with colleagues from the Omega Pharma-Quick Step team won the competition for the world championships in Tuscany. There, however, has not left his road race.
This year started but deliciously. He won almost on cue, and one of the most important victories was at the Stade Bianche. There triumphed in a big way and had already started to talk about Kwiatkowski as a big star. Again, fared very well in the spring classics. He was third in the Walloon the Arrow and Liege-Bastogne-Liege. Fared well in the Tour de Romandie, which was the last test before the Tour de France. Although this was not entirely happy with his disposal, and yet on the Great Loop was supposed to be the leader of the team. The fact that everything is moving in a good party, convinced him ride in time for the Polish championship, which he won. Unfortunately won the coin mass start. This year’s Tour de France, but was again third in the youth, however, did not pass to the successful. Heavy losses suffered in the last week of rivalry and eventually finished the race in 28th place. It had to be – Rafal Majka next – face the Tour de Pologne. He had to fight for victory in this event, but at the last minute decided to withdraw. He preferred to rest after the hardships of the Great Loop in order to focus on the end of the season. And this was really staggering. He won a stage of the Tour of Britain, and “general classification” was the second.
At the World Cup to the Spanish Ponferrady going, despite his young age, as one of the favorites. To do well in the race individually, gave up starting in the individual time trial. There was, however, a team “time trial”, winning with colleagues from the OP-QS bronze medal. After gold reached, however, the most important clash at the event. He did it in style. After the race did not spare words of praise for his teammates.
– Throughout the race, even the nose of the peloton not I leaned. Dowieźli me in my backpack. I know my name and I will never change. I did it for all those who went with me, and for the best Polish team in history – he said.
“Professor” with the mentality of winners
Kwiatkowski in Spain felt great. From the first day he knew he was in the form on the championship title. Before the race even asked about it, so nobody forgot about the new outfit, which is useful when you stand on the podium. From the beginning, believed in success. But it is like that. This is a player who simply absorb knowledge. For this, together with each start gaining confidence. And this sport very important feature. Moreover, step by step became familiar with how to be the best.
– Michael is a unique talent. Such worldwide when it comes to cycling. Despite his young age is a very mature player, and this is set on winning. He has a winning mentality. Maybe this looks like his career planned, but really it is his very hard work, which is not a normal person can imagine. How much he has to experience the pain and sweat pour out in order to stand on the top step of the podium – talked about Kwiatkowski Lech Piasecki, amateur world champion in 1985, who is impressed by driving techniques “Flower” – Michael showed that he is an excellent zjazdowcem . I had the opportunity to know him closer to two years ago when we were on a joint trip, where we recorded materials for the promotion of the 70th Tour de Pologne. I’ve seen up close how he moves on the bike. He looked as if he and the bike were one. Has an unusual freedom of movement on it and it translates to the freedom of the descent. It may look like he ventured, but he is really sure of that as it enters a turn, it will come out of it too. Anyway, just at the congress peloton rode and raced the world title.
Kwiatkowski is only 24 years, and Vaclav Skarul, president of the Polish Cycling Federation, which in 1989, as a coach, celebrated with Joachim Halupczokiem amateur world champion, has called the player “professor”.
– This cyclist who can ride very well tactically. It can withstand mentally races such as this for the world championship, when in the end start frolics small groups – rated Skarul.
Looking successors
Kwiatkowski is not just staring at each other. His dream is that for several years, came to his successor. Therefore, in September 2013, he began work Students’ Sports Club Copernicus. One of the initiators of this project was just “Flower”.
– Michael is 24 years old, and already thought of their successors. He founded the Academy of Copernicus, supports her financially, spiritually and in all possible ways. As a junior in Torun had good conditions and equipment. Today sees to it that his successor also have such conditions. Investing in equipment for the kids, even repaired the dormitory where he lived for six years. Whenever you have the time, the training of youth. I hope that the success of Michael’s world championships will also impact on Copernicus. Today we have strong support ActivJetu, because we are a group of professional facilities and Skoda – said Marcin Mientki, one of the first coaches Michael Kwiatkowski in an interview with Eurosport.Onet.pl.
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