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Irish fail to sparkle as Kwiatkowski takes elite crown

24-year-old attacks on final lap, striking out alone on last race climb in Ponferrada, Spain

Polish rider Michal Kwiatkowski on his way to win the Men Elite Road Race during the 2014 UCI Road World Championships in Ponferrada, Spain, yesterday. Photograph: Javier Lizon/EPA
Polish rider Michal Kwiatkowski on his way to win the Men Elite Road Race during the 2014 UCI Road World Championships in Ponferrada, Spain, yesterday. Photograph: Javier Lizon/EPA
Shane Stokes
Mon Sept 29 2014 - 10:06

Michal Kwiatkowski became the first Polish rider to win the elite world road race championships.

The 24-year-old attacked yesterday on the final lap, bridging to a four-man break and then striking out alone on the last climb of the race in Ponferrada, Spain. He hit the line one second clear of a group of chasers, including silver medallist Simon Gerrans (Australia) and third-place finisher Alejandro Valverde (Spain).

Ireland's Dan Martin had bad luck, crashing in the second half of the race and required a spare bike. The delay put an end to his chances. His cousin Nicolas Roche was 26th.

Michael O’Loughlin was best of the Irish in Saturday’s junior road race, finishing in 44th place. Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (France) won the elite women’s race.

Shane Stokes

Shane Stokes

Shane Stokes is a contributor to The Irish Times writing about cycling