Experiencing a challenge unprecedented in his career, Michał Kwiatkowski expresses his thoughts on his recovery from a serious knee injury.
Michal Kwiatkowski, the Polish professional cyclist, returned to racing after a four-month absence due to a knee injury. The 30-year-old, who is a key member of Ineos Grenadiers, had initially abandoned the Tirreno-Adriatico race in March due to knee problems.
Kwiatkowski's comeback was confirmed on August 3, 2025, as he competed in his first race since the injury, finishing 89th. This marked the end of a challenging recovery process that involved extensive rest and rehabilitation.
The nature of Kwiatkowski's knee injury is not fully disclosed, but it caused persistent pain and mental struggle, lasting about nine weeks where he struggled to find clear answers and relief. The injury was not caused by a crash at Strade Bianche in March, as previously believed, but was a result of a more complex underlying issue.
Kwiatkowski's return to competitive racing was a significant achievement after the prolonged hiatus. His return race saw him finish 89th, demonstrating that while cleared to compete, he was still in the process of regaining full form.
Before his injury, Kwiatkowski would have likely played a key role for his Ineos Grenadiers team in the Tour de France, but his participation was hindered by the injury. If he participates in the Vuelta a España, it would be his first appearance since 2018. In 2018, Kwiatkowski led the Vuelta a España for three stages and wore the maillot rojo. His only other participation in the Vuelta a España was in 2016, where he led the race for a single day.
Kwiatkowski is expected to compete in the Tour de Pologne next week. He expressed his eagerness to add more wins to his tally before the end of the season.
Cyclingnews will provide full coverage of the Tour de Pologne and the Vuelta a España.
[1] BBC Sport [2] Cycling Weekly
- Michal Kwiatkowski, after a four-month absence due to a knee injury, returned to competitive sports by participating in a race, which marked the end of a challenging recovery process.
- Despite facing a prolonged hiatus from sports and finishing 89th in his comeback race, Kwiatkowski is still hopeful of adding more wins to his tally, as he prepares to compete in the Tour de Pologne next week.
