The 2026 season is still a long way off, but it is slowly approaching, and there are still several dozens of riders that race at the highest level without a contract. Amongst these are several leaders, veterans and the former World Champion Michal Kwiatkowski, whose time with INEOS Grenadiers may be coming to an end.
At 35 years old, the Polish cyclist is obviously no longer the rider who won the Ponferrada World Championships in 2014, twice the Amstel Gold Race, Milano-Sanremo, twice Strade Bianche, two stages of the Tour de France or general classifications such as those of the Tirreno Adriatico or Tour de Pologne… But he still packs a punch and is hugely valuable or his experience – over a decade of riding at the absolute top level both as a leader and domestique.
Few riders have been as complete as Michal Kwiatkowski who, in addition to being an ace in the classics and generals, has also been and is a great time trialist. A profile like that, who can bring veteran and domestique roles in all types of races and has often done so selflessly, is incredibly valuable for any team. But where will his future be? And which role will he have?
It is easy to forget but Kwiatkowski’s two Tour de France wins were taken in the 2020’s, and he is a rider that has adapted well to the rise of the new generation in pro cycling. This year he also won the gravel Clàsica Jaen Paraiso Interior race, and ended his season with a third place at the Cro Race. He had been linked to Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team some months ago, but the rumours have faded whilst the Swiss team’s signings – such as Sam Bennett, Eddie Dunbar, Chris Harper, Fred Wright and more – could well have drained the financial resources to sign a rider such as Kwiatkowski.
With INEOS Grenadiers still having several empty spots in their roster for 2026, a renewal could also well be in the cards, but it is highly unusual to reach this point in time without a publicly announced contract, hence his stay in the team is not too likely.
Michal Kwiatkowski has not yet signed with any team for 2026. @Sirotti