Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Michal Kwiatkowski waited for the perfect moment at the Italian Strade Bianche classic on Saturday. Peter Sagan (Cannondale Pro Cycling) launched an impressive attack with less than 23km to go, but with five OPQS riders well positioned in a lead group and Kwiatkowski feeling strong, he bridged to the attacking Slovak rider.

Matteo Trentin attacked earlier, keeping his teammates Rigoberto Uran, Wout Poels, Kwiatkowski, and Michal Golas fresh approaching the final kilometers. This strong team representation in the lead group set up Kwiatkowski perfectly.

Sagan and Kwiatkowski rode away from the field, despite a strong chasing group forming behind them including Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing) and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team). Approaching the final few hundred meters, Kwiatkowski sat on Sagans wheel as the road grew steep. Then, countering an acceleration of Sagan, the Polish Champion launched. He dropped Sagan immediately on the final climb and powered on to win solo.

"When I came around the final corner to the finish line in Piazza del Campo, it was absolutely beautiful," Kwiatkowski said. "I did recon yesterday of the finish in Siena, and it was amazing then as well. But with fans and spectators around, it's even better. It's something special.

"I know Sagan has much more experience on a final like that in the big races. I was watching even the chainring he was using to make sure I didn't make any stupid mistakes. I was actually surprised speeding up on the last climb, he didn't wait until the sprint. He started slowing down a little bit and I saw that he was really suffering. So I went full gas until the end and that's how it was won.

"I'm pretty surprised as this is probably my best, most emotional victory so far. I had so much support from the team, from everyone.  I'm really thankful to my team for the support today, I can't say it enough."

Kwiatkowski and Sagan were fierce rivals as juniors and Kwiatkowski was pleased to now be back at the Slovakian's level.

"We raced like today in the past, as juniors, we always escaped from the others and it’s a fantastic feeling to be on the same level as him. I've got some good memories from our juniors days. We took two different paths and he arrived at the top faster than me but I did my own work and followed my own way.

"I'm a little surprised to go so well. My big goals are the Ardennes Classics and Tirreno-Adriatico because I was fourth last year. I'm still only 23, so I know I have to focus on my training and see what happens. I'd love to arrive at the top one day but I know you have to work a lot to get there."

He praised his team for their impressive showing that was much in line with their domination of the Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne.

"We are always motivated to win and that's the thing. We don’t use races for training.

"We all came here to win, that was the goal. I have to thank the team today. Mark (Cavendish), Ale (Petacchi) and Mark Renshaw all helped me when I had a big crash early on and when I flatted on the sixth sector of dirt road. I got a wheel from Peta and Cav took me to the front. I was nervous but after that sector, there were five of us in front.

"We did a perfect race: we pulled, then we decided to play a bit and so Matteo (Trentin) attacked so we didn’t have to work. Then I went with Sagan. I'm really thankful to the team. Without them, I wouldn't have today."

Kwiatkowski will now focus on the Tirreno-Adriatico and may even do Milan-Sanremo.

"I'd like to ride it to get some experience and help my teammates. My first real goals are the Ardennes: the Amstel Gold Race, Fleche-Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege. I'm looking towards those classics now."