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Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney won stage seven of the Tour de France Femmes on Friday and took the yellow jersey as the female cyclists climbed the legendary Mont Ventoux for the first time in the event.
The riders took the most challenging side of the "Giant of Provence," in a highly anticipated ascent that marked another major step forward in the history of women's cycling.
Niewiadoma-Phinney attacked with 9.7 kilometres to go and steadily increased her advantage to cross the finish line 1:16 minutes ahead of Demi Vollering. Elisa Longo Borghini was third, 1:42 minutes down.
The Polish won the Tour in 2024, but this was the first time she won a stage in the race.
"I'm still speechless, but I just feel so much gratitude. This victory goes to so many people that were with me along this very long road without proper big wins," she said.
"I'm just so tired and so blown away with what just happened. As we started to climb the Mont Ventoux, I looked right and I saw my parents.
"They made a surprise visit, I could see my dad crying, and I was like, 'I just need to make them proud,' so this victory goes to my family, my friends, my team, my husband Taylor (Phinney), to my coach Louis (Delahaije), and my team boss Ronny (Lauke)."
Niewiadoma-Phinney leads the overall standings 15 seconds ahead of Vollering.
Mont Ventoux is one of the most difficult climbs in the men's Tour de France and has staged tragic and dramatic moments.
British rider Tom Simpson died on the mountain in 1967 from heat exhaustion. In 1970, Eddy Merckx rode himself to the brink of collapse while winning the stage.
In 2016, Chris Froome's bike was damaged, prompting him to jog some 100 metres up the mountain until he was able to get a neutral service bike.
Continue reading...
The riders took the most challenging side of the "Giant of Provence," in a highly anticipated ascent that marked another major step forward in the history of women's cycling.
Niewiadoma-Phinney attacked with 9.7 kilometres to go and steadily increased her advantage to cross the finish line 1:16 minutes ahead of Demi Vollering. Elisa Longo Borghini was third, 1:42 minutes down.
The Polish won the Tour in 2024, but this was the first time she won a stage in the race.
"I'm still speechless, but I just feel so much gratitude. This victory goes to so many people that were with me along this very long road without proper big wins," she said.
"I'm just so tired and so blown away with what just happened. As we started to climb the Mont Ventoux, I looked right and I saw my parents.
"They made a surprise visit, I could see my dad crying, and I was like, 'I just need to make them proud,' so this victory goes to my family, my friends, my team, my husband Taylor (Phinney), to my coach Louis (Delahaije), and my team boss Ronny (Lauke)."
Niewiadoma-Phinney leads the overall standings 15 seconds ahead of Vollering.
Mont Ventoux is one of the most difficult climbs in the men's Tour de France and has staged tragic and dramatic moments.
British rider Tom Simpson died on the mountain in 1967 from heat exhaustion. In 1970, Eddy Merckx rode himself to the brink of collapse while winning the stage.
In 2016, Chris Froome's bike was damaged, prompting him to jog some 100 metres up the mountain until he was able to get a neutral service bike.
Continue reading...
