Michal Kwiatkowski explained during the pre-race press conference he can take the Tour de France’s yellow jersey in the first week. The Etixx-Quick Step rider, relaxed and always smiling, told according to Velonews his goal during the first stages.

"Of course it’s a big chance to be up there for me on the GC in the first week", said the young Polish rider. "It’s all about how we ride [the] first TT and of course the uphill finish in Mur de Huy. I’m one of the riders who likes to fight every single day, so it’s totally possible (to take the yellow jersey). But, of course, as a team we always want to be winning stages."

About the individual time trial, Kwiatkowski explained he has good legs and showed a strong mental. "It’s flat with not so many corners. I like it technical, but of course it’s all about your shape and performance. In Suisse and in nationals, I didn’t feel so great, so [it’s difficult] to say I will be able to compete I with the best guys like Tom Dumoulin and the others. But I’m really motivated and I’m in better shape than last year."

"Sometimes 10 seconds is a lot, but you can lose everything with a flat tire or a being dropped on the wind, you know, the crosswinds. It’s hard to say, everything can be open. You try not to lose, let’s say, 30 seconds on the first stage."

With a collaboration with his sponsor Specialized, we can see on his bike flowery rainbows. The design is a play on his surname, which translates to “flowery” in Polish. "I’m not sure another rider could ride this paint job. They started calling me ‘Flower Power;’ I think it’s funny."