Czesław Lang: Big congratulations to Michał Kwiatkowski

I am very impressed by Michał’s exploits – said Tour de Pologne General Director Czesław Lang after the Polish cyclist’s victory in the Amstel Gold Race.

Michał rode sensationally. After the race, we had to wait for the results, but afterwards we could all rejoice, because it was a great success – says the Moscow Olympic vice-champion. Kwiatkowski in the Dutch race fought at the finish with Benoit Costefroy, as both were escaping from the peloton. The race radio reported in the first news that the Frenchman had won, but a later photo finish showed that it was the Pole from INEOS Grenadiers who was faster.

– This is a very important win, which will certainly give Michał energy. Anyway, he had to wait a while for the victory, but such riders like Michal should never be crossed out. He is a great champion and in the Amstel Gold Race he confirmed it – said Czesław Lang about the 2018 Tour de Pologne winner.

– I don’t know Michal’s plans for this year, but of course we count on him to appear in our country as well. He has shown that he can show his sensational side in front of his own fans, which was confirmed by his third place in the general classification and his great attitude on the route in the previous edition. The fans want to see such cyclists like Michał. Even if he does not win, one can be sure that he will give his best, and that is the most important thing in sport. And yet, he admitted in the interview for ‘Przeglad Sportowy’ that he had a difficult time behind him, because he went through covid and then influenza. These are very serious illnesses for a professional cyclist, which can destroy the form that has been built up for months. But Michał did not give up and now he is enjoying the prize.

Great congratulations! – said Czesław Lang. And he added – I remember Michał starting in the Mini Tour de Pologne, which today is called the Tour de Pologne Junior. There are more such cyclists, because the TdP has been creating stars of the world peloton for years,” recalls the general director of our national race. And Kwiatkowski and the TdP are indeed a long story, as Michał not only won in 2018 (he was also the fastest on two stages) and third a year ago, but also second in 2012.