Michal Kwiatkowski (Poland) is the new Men Elite UCI Road World Champion after surprising all his rivals with an attack in the finale of the highly tactical race in Ponferrada.
While many of the major nations waited, hoped and worked for a sprint finish, the 24 year-old Polish rider bravely went on the attack between the two climbs on the final lap of the 18.2km circuit. He jumped across to a late breakaway and then went clear alone on the final climb, before time-trialing his way to the finish and a superb, well-deserved victory.
Australia's Simon Gerrans won the sprint for second place, with Spain's Alejandro Valverde taking the bronze medal - his sixth medal in a UCI World Championships without ever winning the rainbow jersey.
Kwiatkowski was not one of the big-name favourites before the start but has shown his huge talent and potential in the last two seasons while riding with the Omega Pharma-QuickStep WorldTour team. He finished third at Liege-Bastogne-Liege this spring, was second overall and won a stage at the recent Tour of Britain. He is considered one of the best riders of his generation and is leading the resurgence in Polish cycling.
“I was feeling great on the last lap and I’m really grateful of my teammates for all their work. I was just going for the win I was trying to take risks because some were calculating and waiting the final climb”, Kwiatkowski said struggling to believe he had become World Champion.
“Two days ago I watched the Under 23 Men race and I knew it was possible to do this type of win, especially in the race. I just did my effort and had a little bit of a gap. This is just incredible.”
Gerrans proud of his silver medal
Gerrans was saddened to go so close to victory but proud of his silver medal and second place.
“I don't have too many regrets with the way I race today. I was beaten by a stronger rider with better tactics. I can be happy with what I was able to achieve, all in all I'm very pleased with how I raced”, he said.
Valverde felt the pressure of racing at home but also suffered during what emerged to be a hard race in the rain. Spain rode an excellent race, chasing down several key attacks but like everyone else, they under-estimated Kwiatkowski's late attack.
“The pressure was the same as ever but there was also lots of support, it rained too but you have to adapt to it. I’m happy, I did what expected. This is a better result for Spain than last year, we got one medal and we have to be happy with what we got.”
The Men Elite Road Race brought down the curtain on this year's 2014 UCI Road World Championships, with some great athletes winning the rainbow jerseys and the right to wear them for the next 12 months.
The 2015 UCI Road World Championships will be held in Richmond, in the USA.