Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Michal Kwiatkowski waited for the perfect moment at the Italian Classic, 197km Strade Bianche, on Saturday. Peter Sagan (Cannondale Pro Cycling) launched an impressive attack with less than 23km to go, but with five OPQS riders well positioned in a lead group and Kwiatkowski feeling strong, he bridged to the attacking Slovak rider. Matteo Trentin attacked earlier, keeping his teammates Rigoberto Uran, Wout Poels, Kwiatkowski, and Michal Golas fresh approaching the final kilometers. This strong team representation in the lead group set up Kwiatkowski perfectly.
Sagan and Kwiatkowski rode away from the field, despite a strong chasing group forming behind them including Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing) and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team). Approaching the final few hundred meters, Kwiatkowski sat on Sagans wheel as the road grew steep. Then, countering an acceleration of Sagan, the Polish Champion launched. He dropped Sagan immediately on the final climb and powered on to win solo.
Kwiatkowski's victory is the 14th for OPQS, in three disciplines, in 2014.
"When I came around the final corner to the finish line in Piazza del Campo, it was absolutely beautiful," Kwiatkowski said. "I did recon yesterday of the finish in Siena, and it was amazing then as well. But with fans and spectators around, it's even better. It's something special. I know Sagan has much more experience on a final like that in the big races. I was watching even the chainring he was using to make sure I didn't make any stupid mistakes. I was actually surprised speeding up on the last climb, he didn't wait until the sprint. He started slowing down a little bit and I saw that he was really suffering. So I went full gas until the end and that's how it was won. I'm pretty surprised as this is probably my best, most emotional victory so far. I had so much support from the team, from everyone. I'm really thankful to my team for the support today, I can't say it enough."