Michał Kwiatkowski made his much-anticipated return to competitive cycling on July 29, 2023, at the Clásica San Sebastián, ending a hiatus of 141 days due to a serious knee injury. The Polish cyclist missed the majority of the season, including critical events such as the Spring Classics and the Tour de France, where he would have been a significant asset for his team, Ineos Grenadiers.
In a heartfelt social media post following his return, Kwiatkowski provided insight into the arduous journey he faced during his recovery. He expressed, “I’d never been through anything like this in my career. A stubborn knee pain turned my life into a mental roller-coaster: nine weeks of fighting the pain and hunting for answers.” His experience highlights not only the physical challenges of recovery but also the mental toll it took on him.
Kwiatkowski’s injury is believed to have originated from a crash during the Strade Bianche in March, where he fell on his left side at the same corner as fellow cyclist Tadej Pogačar. While the crash resulted in severe road rash, Kwiatkowski clarified that the underlying issue was more complex. He stated, “After a long battle we finally traced the problem to a biomechanical issue – not the crash and its fallout like we first thought.” This revelation led to his withdrawal from the Tirreno-Adriatico the following week, as he continued to seek answers for his condition.
Despite the setbacks, the 35-year-old rider secured a victory earlier in 2025, winning the Clásica Jaén in February, which marked Ineos Grenadiers’ first triumph of the season. As he begins to regain his racing form, Kwiatkowski is set to compete at the Tour de Pologne next week, where he aims to add another win to his record.
In his post, he reflected on the lessons learned during his recovery, stating, “This injury taught me patience and reminded me how much the small wins matter. Now I’m hungry for every race number I pin on.” Kwiatkowski also hinted at the possibility of participating in the Vuelta a España later this month. He noted, “If everything goes to plan, the Vuelta a España and a strong finish to the season are waiting.”
Should he compete in the Vuelta a España, it would be Kwiatkowski’s first appearance since 2018, when he led the race and wore the maillot rojo for three stages. His only other participation was in 2016, where he also held the lead for one day and contributed to Team Sky’s victory in the opening team time trial.
As Kwiatkowski resumes his racing career, fans and teammates will be eager to see how he performs in the upcoming events. Cyclingnews will provide comprehensive coverage of both the Tour de Pologne and the Vuelta a España, highlighting Kwiatkowski’s journey and achievements as he strives to reach new heights in his cycling career.