We Worked For That - Kwiatkowski

11 September 2014 04:55

Michal Kwiatkowski of Omega Pharma Quick Step has said that his team worked for his win on the fourth stage of the Tour Of Britain.

It was a victory that put the Polish rider in to the lead of not only the race but the points competition as well.

"It might have looked like I came from nowhere right at the end but we really worked for the win," said Kwiatowski to the Tour Of Britain Press Office.

"It was not a 'classic' sprint and I certainly didn't expect such a hard climb at the end.

"The attack form Nicolas Roche was really impressive which I followed and I don't think the two leaders thought we would catch them. I went into the last corner with nobody on my wheel and I was very happy to finish like that. There was some amazing work form my team especially Niki Terpstra and Julien Vermote to close the gap. That was not an easy thing. We took the responsibility for the chase.

"The climb was very important. We didn't really know when the end was coming! I kept pushing and pushing and when I saw the last 1-kilometre sign I remembered that the finish was much flatter so there was still a chance to sprint. What made it difficult today is that you started the climb from nothing because you have that 180 degree turn at the bottom. You take no speed into the climb which is why it was so important to stay out up in the front.

"I don't really know what my time trialling form is like. "This is only my second race back from my long break after the Tour de France. I can time trial well but this is pretty short and I don't know if I am ready for that.

"We will see. I should be ready because we at Omega have the team time trial at the World Championships which we are preparing for. I normally like short time-trials but I don't know how technical the course is in London. We must look. I like them to be technical as possible.”

Source: DSG