Bright things were expected of Rafal Majka in 2014 and the rising Polish star certainly didn’t disappoint.

Sixth overall at the Giro d’Italia laid the foundations for a fine summer, which brought his first two career stage wins at the Tour de France and the King of the Mountains jersey, and two stage wins and the overall victory at the Tour of Poland.

Majka’s four victories over the course of the season all came on mountain stages, not least his stunning solo victory on the Pla d’Adet on stage 17 of the Tour de France. At Chamrousse and atop Hautacam, Majka was one of the only riders to come close to matching Tour champion Vincenzo Nibali.

In Poland, meanwhile, Majka’s two back-to-back stage wins granted him the first overall victory of his career – in front of his home fans – with his impressive climbing matched only by the gritty time trial he produced on the final day to hold onto the lead.

Still only 25, huge things could come from Majka as he and compatriot Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-Quickstep), the world champion, fly the flag in some style for Poland.

Rafal Majka in 2014

Stage wins: four
Grand Tour stage wins: Tour de France x2
GC wins in 2014: one (Tour of Poland)
Champagne moment: Blasting to victory on the Pla d’Adet at the Tour de France – his second stage win of the race – to take command of the polka dot jersey.