[2] In 2009, Szmyd scored the first victory of his career when he crossed the finish line atop the Mont Ventoux during the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré.

Szmyd said afterward that he was so used to sacrifice himself as a domestique for his captains that his legs almost buckled in the last corner when he realized he would win.

In stage 3, he came in second place after tackling a very steep climb, the Punta Veleno (8.5 kilometres (5.3 miles) at an average 15% gradient).

Snow was falling as he, race winner Domenico Pozzovivo (Colnago–CSF Bardiani) and Damiano Cunego (Lampre–ISD) were accepting their awards on the podium.

He set the pace for the lead group numerous times in the hilly stages and managed a 28th general classification spot.