Michal Kwiatkowski has extended his contract with Team Sky and will remain with the team for another three years. The former World Road Race Champion said it was an easy decision to make, believing he is in the best place to continue his development and win more races across the next three years.
He said: “I’m really happy that I have the opportunity to re-sign for the next three years. I’ve had great support from the team for the past two seasons – both last year, when I had a really difficult season, and this year, which has been great.
“I’ve only been here for one and a half years, but it feels like far longer. That’s what I need – to feel supported, like part of a family, otherwise it can be difficult. I’m really happy to be a part of the Team Sky family.
“I’m looking forward to the future with Team Sky because I believe it’s the best team for my abilities and I truly believe I can win lots more races in the future here.”
The Pole has enjoyed a sensational 2017, winning Strade Bianche, Milan-San Remo and San Sebastian, as well as playing a major role in Chris Froome’s fourth Tour de France victory.
“So far it has been the season of my career and I’m happy that it’s not over yet,” continued Kwiatkowski. “It’s been amazing. I’ve found my spot in the team, have won some really big races, and performed well at the Tour de France, which I was aiming for.”
Kwiatkowski received rave reviews for his performance in France, with pundits suggesting he should target a Grand Tour in the future – but the 27 year old isn’t in any hurry.
“Some people would like to put me in a box and say I should go in this direction, or that direction, but I truly believe it’s all about being patient and doing things step-by-step. If I continue to work on my climbing and time trialling, if I can perform well in one-week stage races like Paris-Nice and the Dauphine, and if there are signs that I could perform well in a Grand Tour, then yes, I will take that chance. I think I am in the best place to do that.”
Fresh from his Tour de France victory, Chris Froome took a break from his Vuelta a Espana preparations to pay tribute to teammate Kwiatkowski.
He said: “Kwiato has had a brilliant year. He’s obviously had some great wins himself, but to me his performance in the Tour de France epitomised everything about him and what he brings to Team Sky.
“As a rider he is just so versatile and selfless. Whether that’s riding at the front on the flat, his understanding of how a race is unfolding, getting his teammates into the right position in the sprints or being last man in be mountains. He’s the definition of an all-round rider and we’re lucky to have him.”
The 2017 season is far from over for ‘Kwiato’ and the former world champion is particularly excited to race on British roads at the Tour of Britain in September.
“I will return to racing at the GP de Plouay,” he revealed. “Then I will race the Tour of Britain, I hope to do the world team time trial championship, and then the world championship road race, before finishing my season at Il Lombardia. Right now I’m an altitude camp in Livigno, preparing for the second half of the season.
“Racing in Britain always brings back memories of the massive crowds at the 2012 Olympics and the start of the 2014 Tour de France in Yorkshire. The Tour of Britain is always the same. It’s a race that suits me and I was happy to finish second in 2014. We will see how it goes this year – I will have a big motivation to be in good shape as it’s just one week before the world championships.”
