Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney produced an exciting solo trip to the summit of Mont Ventoux to assert her first Tour de France Femmes stage win and the general race lead.
The long-lasting climb of Mont Ventoux was included within the Tour de France Femmes for the primary time for this yr’s ‘queen stage’.
Niewiadoma-Phinney started the 146.8km trip from La Voulte-sur-Rhone third within the basic classification, one minute and 17 seconds behind race chief Marlen Reusser, with Demi Vollering second.
And the Polish Canyon-SRAM rider, who received the Tour in 2024, launched an assault with 9km of the Mont Ventoux climb remaining.
Because the 31-year-old pulled away from her rivals on stage seven, it grew to become a battle for the chief’s yellow jersey.
She in the end reached the summit end one minute and 16 seconds earlier than Dutch rider Vollering, with Reusser 30 seconds additional again and defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot greater than 10 minutes down.
Niewiadoma-Phinney now holds a 15-second lead over Vollering with two levels remaining whereas Swiss rider Reusser is 39 seconds adrift in third.
“I am blown away with what simply occurred,” mentioned Niewiadoma-Phinney.
“This victory goes to so many individuals that had been with me alongside this very lengthy highway with out correct huge wins.
“It was so humorous, as we began to climb Mont Ventoux I regarded to my proper and noticed my dad and mom. They made a shock go to and I may see my dad crying. I used to be like ‘I simply have to make them proud’.”
Saturday’s penultimate stage is the longest of this yr’s race, with the principally flat 171.9km trip from Sisteron to Good set to go well with the sprinters.
That can depart the overall classification rivals to battle it out for the title on a 99.2km mountain stage starting and ending in Good on Sunday.
