OPQS rider Pieter Serry placed 35th in the last cycling monument of the 2014 season, 254km Il Lombardia, on Sunday. The Belgian rider fought back to the group after losing contact due to a problem in the final kilometers. Meanwhile, Michal Kwiatkowski finished his first race in the rainbow jersey despite a bad cramp in his right leg, showing a fighting spirit to match his status as UCI World Road Champion.
"On the last climb I almost crashed, someone touched my wheel or something," Serry said. "I couldn't go into my 11 after that. So I used a lot of energy trying to come back and that cost me in the end. But OK, that's cycling. I had a real good feeling after La Vuelta and I was still motivated. I was then selected to the UCI World TTT Championship and the World TT Championship, so that gave me big morale going into Il Lombardia. After my 7th place last year here, this is a race I really like to do. I will hopefully come back next year and try again for a good result."
"Today I felt great," Kwiatkowski said. "I said to the guys that they could support me, and I got that from them. I was relaxed the whole race. I'm thankful for them. But 12 kilometers before the finish I got a cramp in my right leg and I couldn't pedal anymore. I am not sure what the reason as, but after six and a half hours on the bike those things can happen. I am disappointed in not finishing with a good result at this race, but at the end of the day what can you say? At that point I only tried to get to the finish with honor. Having this jersey with the rainbow stripes on my chest is an incredible feeling. I exited the bus today and the public started to scream my name. That's something new for me, but I get such support from the spectators during the race it's amazing. Now my long season is over, and I am happy to end it as UCI World Road Champion. I am looking forward to next season already, riding for Omega Pharma - Quick-Step in the rainbow jersey once again. Now I need rest, and I will see everyone on the road again soon."