Michal Kwiatkowski (INEOS – Grenadiers ) took a magical solo victory on stage 13 of the Tour de France. Riding away from his breakaway companions with 11km of climbing on Le Grand Colombier still to tackle – and after being dropped at one point! He didn’t ‘throw his Oakleys’, he didn’t need to, this was Kwiato in full experienced control. As magnificent as the manner of his ride was, it’s his post race interview that is my moment of joy today.
Post race #Kwiatcrush atop Grand Colombier. He is such a classy rider and human. That cheeky face has hardly changed since he wowed everyone to take the World Road title at Ponferrada.
Kwiatkowski: "I found the best legs I've ever had in my life" 🇵🇱#TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/mXbUCvsdEH
— ITV Cycling (@itvcycling) July 14, 2023
My heart, perhaps my favourite line.
Interviewer: Your 2nd stage victory in Le Tour but this time you did it alone.
Kwaito: Oh, not alone. I had 18 friends in the breakaway.
THIS is what it means to win on Grand Colombier 🤜🤛#TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/yROOXwarvE
— INEOS Grenadiers (@INEOSGrenadiers) July 14, 2023
When he made his move.
Come on @kwiato 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻 https://t.co/ni5LtVrLHr
— Elia Viviani (@eliaviviani) July 14, 2023
Mr Combativity and The Empire! (tip of the hat to whoever runs the Le Tour Social media channels)
As if taking the stage wasn't enough, the Empire @INEOSGrenadiers takes the lead in the Teams Classification!
Comme signer l'étape ne suffisait pas, l'Empire @INEOSGrenadiers prend la tête du classement des équipes ! #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/igu8KFkvm4
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 14, 2023
I could not be happier to see Kwiato take his chance today. A classics rider many, including myself, would wish to see riding free and unfettered by super domestique roles.
A reminder that in any other team Kwiato could have won almost everything.
— Andrew James (@badbrainAJ) July 14, 2023
Look at his palmares.
📊🏆 Michal Kwiatkowski's list keeps getting better | #TDF2023
—🌈, RR
—Milano-Sanremo
—Amstel Gold Race (x2)
—Strade Bianche (c2)
—Clasica San Sebastian
—E3 Harelbeke
—Tirreno-Adriatico, GC
—Tour de Pologne, GC
—🇵🇱 RR (x2), ITT (x3)
—Tour de France, stage win (x2)— ammattipyöräily (@ammattipyoraily) July 14, 2023
Chapeau #Kwiatcrush
NEVER. GIVE. UP.
Vive la France! #TdF2023 @LeTour @INEOSGrenadiers pic.twitter.com/Wdy5frCO7h— Michał Kwiatkowski (@kwiato) July 14, 2023
Stage results
🏰 A grand stage with spectacular battles on Bastille Day. Action packed from the start and the Grand Colombier did not disappoint with @kwiato taking the win. 9 seconds now sits between Vingegaard and Pogacar for the Maillot Jaune
🎬 Enjoy the 🇬🇧 highlights of stage 13 ! pic.twitter.com/IAIY8onHk6
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 14, 2023
🏆 Rankings and jerseys after stage 13
🏆 Classements et maillots distinctifs après l'étape 13#TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/Xqen0tuWyY
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 14, 2023