Kwiato targets Tour of Flanders glory

London : Michal Kwiatkowski is hoping to tackle the Tour of Flanders this season as he looks to continue his momentum following a standout 2017 campaign.

The Team Sky rider enjoyed a stellar year, with marquee victories at Strade Bianche, Milan-San Remo and Clasica San Sebastian, before heading to the Tour de France to help wingman Chris Froome to a fourth title.

After a winter of hard training the 27-year-old is ready to go again, starting with the upcoming Vuelta a Valenciana in Spain, while the Tour of Flanders is set to get under way on April 1.

“I was just missing cobbles,” explained Kwiatkowski on his Flanders hopes. “The Classics for me are pure racing and Tour of Flanders is just an amazing race.

“I was able to race there before, and also for Team Sky in 2016. The week before that I won (E3) Harelbeke and I was one of the favourites for the win. I believe I have the ability to fight for the victory.

“Whatever happens there, together with my teammates, whoever is going to be there, we are able to be there as favourites and future winners. That’s why I want to be a part of it. Let’s hope it’s going to be a good one.”

Kwiato is under no illusions that topping 2017 will take some doing, but feels that striving for constant improvements should put him right back in the mix for victories.