Having been narrowly beaten by Maciej Bodnar (Cannondale) in the battle for the Polish TT title in last year’s championships, Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) got his revenge when he beat the Cannondale by 27 seconds in this year’s edition of the race. Mateusz Taciak (CCC) completed the podium for the second year in a row.

One year ago Michal Kwiatkowski was beaten by just 5 seconds in the Polish national time trial championships and saw Maciej Bodnar take the jersey he was widely tipped to conquer. This year he got his revenge as he beat his rival by a convincing 27-second margin on the 40km course in Sobotka.

The win comes at an important moment for Kwiatkowski who abandoned the Criterium du Dauphiné after a very poor showing. As a consequence, he underwent medical tests to ensure that nothing was wrong with his health and apparently, he was given the green light to ride as he was selected for the Omega Pharma-Quick Step roster for the Tour de France. Today’s win will be an important confidence boost as he goes into the race with the aim of improving on last year’s 11th place in the race.

Kwiatkowski and Bodnar were in a class of their own in the race. For the second year in a row, Mateusz Taciak was third, posting a time that was 2.01 off Kwiatkowski’s mark.

On Sunday, Kwiatkowski will line up as the defending champion in the road race.

Result:

1. Michal Kwiatkowski 48.33

2. Maciej Bodnar +0.27

3. Mateusz Taciak +2.01

4. Kamil Gradek +2.02

5. Jaroslaw Rebiewski +2.18