Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-QuickStep)

Impressive performances in the Adennes Classics, and a strong showing at Tirreno-Adriatico and the Tour de France are just some of the reasons 23-year-old Pole Michal Kwiatkowski is being earmarked as a real star of the future. Kwiatkowski, the Polish national champion, displayed his climbing ability and proved he is equally capable against the clock too to mark him as a potential GC contender for the future, and he will be keen to further establish his rising reputation in 2014.

He finished just one second off the overall podium in elite company at the Tirreno-Adriatico – only Vincenzo Nibali, Chris Froome and Alberto Contador beat him, while he had led the GC for one stage. He finished fourth and fifth respectively in the Amstel Gold Race and La Fleche Wallonne, further showcasing his  climbing talent before 11th place overall, and third in the youth classification at the Tour de France. His all-round ability was highlighted by top-five finishes in five of the first 11 stages at the Tour – including the individual time trial. In the mountainous time trial for stage 17, he also finished seventh.

Omega Pharma-Quickstep’s Tour de France team is likely to be built around Mark Cavendish’s bid for the green jersey, but if they harbour any GC ambitions, and Uran is focussed on the Giro, Kwiatkowski has proved he can mix it with the best.