Team News: Mixed Luck for Quickstep in Poland

Michal Kwiatkowski second on stage but falls by Tom Boonen and Niki Terpstra are costly to team

Omega Pharma Quickstep’s Kwiatkowski fought his way into the final metres of a bunch sprint to a 2nd place finish on Stage 1 of Tour de Pologne on Tuesday. Kwiatkowski, at the end of the 179km stage, kept up his power as the peloton chased a rider going solo in the final kilometers. The peloton managed to catch the rider and Michael Moser (Liquigas-Cannondale) took the victory with Tour of Britain winner Lars Boom (Rabobank) 3rd.

Photo: Riccardo Scanferla

Golas, who attacked late on the stage with several other riders but was caught, finished 9th. “I was focused from the beginning of the race,” Kwiatkowski said. “The stage was hard. It was the stage where you cannot win the GC, but you can lose everything. The downhill section on the circuit was really technical and in the beginning, the road was really slippery. In the final, Golas and Styby were great in helping me. Michal attacked, then, when he was caught, they made the leadout for me. I was second, which is not bad for me. I have to thank them. I’m sad for Tom and Niki. They are really focused on the Olympics. I hope that this crash won’t compromise their approach to London.”

Niki Terpstra was forced to pull out from the race because of a crash while descending. He was immediately transported to the hospital in Jelenia Gora. Niki was diagnosed with a wound on his left elbow, and a knee that required a few stitches. Niki was also submitted for X-rays to his left shoulder, elbow and knee. The X-rays seemed to exclude fractures. Niki has also a few bruises on the left part of his body and on his ankle. He will fly to Belgium where with medical staff, he will have a further examination.

Tom Boonen also crashed on the descent, but was able to continue the race. After finishing the race, he had X-rays done on the left side of his chest. His X-rays also excluded any fractures. He does have pain in his back because of the crash. “We were on a downhill,” Boonen said. “Brown crashed ten spots in front of us and Sabatini, who was behind him, panicked a little bit.”

“He hit his brakes and he went on the ground. I went over him and I got caught up with his handlebars. Niki was on my wheel and he couldn’t avoid the crash. Apparently I have no fracture, even if it is hard to breathe. I will try tomorrow. I hope everything will be fine. I have to go to the end to be ready for the Olympics.”

“It was on a corner and it was raining and slippery,” Terpstra said. “They crashed in front of us. I tried to brake but I went straight. I jumped on the bike again but after five minutes I had to stop. There was too much pain. I’m really sad. I will fly to Belgium and I will pass further medical checks. I really hope that I can train as soon as possible.”