08 Aug 2018
Kwiato doubles up in Poland
Related riders
Michal Kwiatkowski
Michal Kwiatkowski described attack as the best form of defence after picking up a stunning second win in as many days at the Tour of Poland.
The Pole, resplendent in the race leader’s yellow jersey, launched an audacious long-range sprint with 400 metres to go and fought off the hard charging Dylan Teuns (BMC) and Pascal Ackermann (BOH) to take a brilliant win on day five.
The stage was heading for a traditional bunch kick but, with a slightly uphill finish, Kwiatkowski tried his luck early and none of the sprinters could get back on terms. Ackermann came closest to overhauling him, but faded in the final 100 metres.
Michal Golas, Ian Stannard and Lukasz Wisniowski had done a fine job of setting tempo across the 152 kilometre stage, before Pavel Sivakov and Salvatore Puccio hit the gas inside the final 2km, leading Kwiatkowski into the sprint.
The Pole covered off an opportunistic move at 500 metres to go and then kept going, launching his early sprint - and staying clear. His lead on the GC now stands at 12 seconds over Teuns, with two days to race in his homeland.
Michal Golas, Ian Stannard and Lukasz Wisniowski had done a fine job of setting tempo across the 152 kilometre stage, before Pavel Sivakov and Salvatore Puccio hit the gas inside the final 2km, leading Kwiatkowski into the sprint.
The Pole covered off an opportunistic move at 500 metres to go and then kept going, launching his early sprint - and staying clear. His lead on the GC now stands at 12 seconds over Teuns, with two days to race in his homeland.
Michal Kwiatkowski
The best defence is to attack.
Speaking to TeamSky.com after the stage, Kwiatkowski explained his mindset heading into the finale.
He said: “The best form of defence is attack. We stuck to that plan and it was perfect. We didn’t know what the final would be like but when we entered the final circuit I said to the boys on the radio that it’s a sprint I could fight for.
He said: “The best form of defence is attack. We stuck to that plan and it was perfect. We didn’t know what the final would be like but when we entered the final circuit I said to the boys on the radio that it’s a sprint I could fight for.
“I had an amazing leadout. Golas started, then Pavel, and Salva was there. All the time I was protected at a high pace and then it was the longest sprint, maybe ever! It was very difficult - I’m more fatigued than yesterday because of the length of that sprint.
“At the end of the day Teuns was on my back and I knew I had to start my sprint earlier than Pascal Ackermann, and that’s how we’ve ended up. Everything worked out.”
Meanwhile on day two at the Vuelta a Burgos, David de la Cruz and Tao Geoghegan Hart finished safely as the sprinters did battle.
Matteo Moschetti (Polartec-Kometa) took the honours, with De la Cruz the first Team Sky man home in 10th. After an impressive sixth place on day one Geoghegan Hart moved up to second overall, with the race set to hit the high mountains on day three.
Matteo Moschetti (Polartec-Kometa) took the honours, with De la Cruz the first Team Sky man home in 10th. After an impressive sixth place on day one Geoghegan Hart moved up to second overall, with the race set to hit the high mountains on day three.
Tour of Poland stage five result
1. Michal Kwiatkowski (Team Sky) 3:39:14
2. Dylan Teuns (BMC) s.t.
3. Enrico Battaglin (LottoNL-Jumbo) s.t.
4. Pascal Ackermann (Bora-Hansgrohe) s.t.
5. Enrico Gasparotto (Bahrain Merida) s.t.
Overall standings
1. Michal Kwiatkowski (Team Sky) 17:30:26
2. Dylan Teuns (BMC) +0:12
3. George Bennett (LottoNL-Jumbo) +0:20
4. Sergei Chernetski (Astana) +0:24
5. Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) s.t.
1. Michal Kwiatkowski (Team Sky) 3:39:14
2. Dylan Teuns (BMC) s.t.
3. Enrico Battaglin (LottoNL-Jumbo) s.t.
4. Pascal Ackermann (Bora-Hansgrohe) s.t.
5. Enrico Gasparotto (Bahrain Merida) s.t.
Overall standings
1. Michal Kwiatkowski (Team Sky) 17:30:26
2. Dylan Teuns (BMC) +0:12
3. George Bennett (LottoNL-Jumbo) +0:20
4. Sergei Chernetski (Astana) +0:24
5. Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) s.t.
