With 2014 nearing its end, and 67 overall OPQS victories (64 road, 1 cyclocross, 2 track), it is time to recap the best 10 moments of the season. While it was difficult to pick just 10 out of a highly successful year, these moments certainly stood out and deserve special mention. Our second "Best Moment" is the impressive solo win by Polish rider Michal Kwiatkowski at Strade Bianche.
Kwiatkowski waited for the perfect moment at the Italian Classic, 197km in distance, on the 8th of March. 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 in the race, 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 Sagan's wheel as the road grew steep. Then, countering an acceleration of Sagan, Kwiatkowski launched. He dropped Sagan immediately on the final climb and powered on to win solo.
Kwiatkowski went on to have a successful season, including the biggest win of his career: The UCI World Road Championship in September.
"When I came around the final corner to the finish line in Piazza del Campo, it was absolutely beautiful," Kwiatkowski said of his solo win at Strade Bianche. "The combination of the scenery and the fans and spectators made the finale even more special. I knew Sagan had 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 was pretty surprised as it was probably my best, most emotional victory so far. I had so much support from the team, from everyone. To be able to build on that win was really important to me, and I feel that my UCI World Road Championship in September was almost like bringing that successful mood back around, full circle, after a long and busy season. Strade Bianche was like a springboard for my strong racing in 2014, and I will use it also as I prepare for another big year in 2015."