“In a heart-pounding finale, Kasia Niewiadoma claimed victory in the Tour de France Femmes by a razor-thin margin of four seconds. The race, marked by dramatic climbs and fierce competition, concluded on the iconic Alpe d’Huez, where Niewiadoma fended off a relentless challenge from defending champion Demi Vollering”
Katarzyna ‘Kasia’ Niewiadoma etched her name into cycling history with a breathtaking victory in the Tour de France Femmes, winning by a mere four seconds. The dramatic conclusion unfolded on the legendary Alpe d’Huez, where Niewiadoma held off a stunning late attack from defending champion Demi Vollering.
Starting the final stage with a 1:13 lead over climber Pauliena Rooijakkers and a 1:15 advantage over Vollering, Niewiadoma faced an intense challenge. Vollering, known for her aggressive racing style, launched a bold attack over 40 kilometers from the finish on the punishing slopes of the Col du Glandon. At one point, the Dutch rider established a 1:27 lead over Niewiadoma, briefly seizing the virtual race lead.
Vollering went on to win the stage, earning a 10-second time bonus, but Niewiadoma’s perseverance on the Alpe d’Huez ascent allowed her to secure victory with just four seconds to spare. Overwhelmed by the enormity of her achievement, Niewiadoma collapsed in tears before triumphantly lifting her bike in celebration. Nearby, Vollering, drained and emotional, could only rest on the tarmac, her victory hopes dashed.
“It’s surreal,” Niewiadoma shared with Eurosport. “The stage was a wild rollercoaster. I hit a rough patch on the Glandon, but I managed to recover on the descent. On Alpe d’Huez, I had to pace myself and give it my all in the final five kilometers. For a moment, I doubted if I could pull it off. The team’s support over the radio was crucial in those last two kilometers.”
This victory marks the pinnacle of Niewiadoma’s career, representing her first major stage race win in seven years. She initially took the yellow jersey on stage 5 after Vollering’s crash just six kilometers from the finish.
The final stage was a riveting spectacle. Rooijakkers was the only rider able to keep up with Vollering’s initial surge, staying close despite a brief drop on the descent, which handed Vollering the virtual lead. As the race progressed, Niewiadoma and her group made significant headway, reducing the gap on the flat section between the two mountain passes.
On Alpe d’Huez, Vollering and Rooijakkers showcased their climbing prowess, pushing their advantage to over a minute. It seemed one of them might claim the overall victory. However, Niewiadoma’s relentless effort paid off as she closed the gap in the final kilometers, finding an extra gear when it mattered most.
In the end, Vollering’s stage win was not enough to secure the overall title, finishing second in the general classification, while Rooijakkers rounded out the podium in third. Niewiadoma’s narrow triumph adds a remarkable chapter to her cycling career and the storied history of the Tour de France Femmes.
