Maciej  Bodnar (Cannondale) and Michael Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) went head to head at the Polish time trial championships and like last year veteran Bodnar emerged as the strongest. The Cannondale rider's time was just 5 seconds faster than his young rival's but it was enough to put him into the champion's jersey for the third time in his career.

Michal Kwiatkowski has been one of the revelations on the WorldTour scene this year, having finished in the top 10 at the Tirreno-Adriatico and performing at the Ardennes classics. Known as a time trial specialist, he was the huge favourite to take his first ever win at the Polish championships is the discipline.

Like last year, he was, however, defeated by Maciej Bodnar who took his third title in a very close battle with his young compatriot. On the 40km course, he was just 5 seconds faster than his rival but it was just enough to put him onto the top step of the podium for the third time in his career.

Despite Bodnar's palmares, the win was somewhat of a surprise. Kwiatkowski recently finished 5th at the Dauphiné time trial and the young Pole has been one of the very best in the discipline throughout the entire season. On the other hand, Bodnar has not shown the same kind of form that saw him take top 10 results at the highest level earlier in his career.

Both riders have been selected for the Tour de France where Bodnar is expected to work for Peter Sagan while Kwiatkowski will target the white jersey. Before they line up in Corsica for the world's biggest bike race, they will go head to head once again on Sunday in the road race championships.

Result:

1. Maciej Bodnar 49.30

2. Michal Kwiatkowski +0.05

3. Mateusz Taciak +1.53

4. Kamil Gradek +2.01

5. Jaroslaw Marycz  +3.05