Polish rider Katarzyna Niewiadoma wins her first Tour de France title
Poland's Katarzyna Niewiadoma fought off a challenge from defending champion Demi Vollering to win her first Women's Tour de France by just four seconds on the Alpe d'Huez in southeastern France.
Poland’s Katarzyna Niewiadoma won her first Women’s Tour de France title by just four seconds on Sunday as she dug in during the race’s gruelling final Alpine ascent.
The 29-year-old Canyon SRAM rider summited the daunting Alpe d’Huez mountain one minute one second behind stage winner Demi Vollering to maintain her grip on the yellow jersey.
“It’s so crazy to be honest, the whole stage was such a crazy rollercoaster,” said a visibly emotional Niewiadoma.
“I’ve gone through such a terrible time on this climb, like I hated everything, [then] arriving at the finish line and learning that I won Tour de France, which is insane! It’s so mind-blowing.”
The Tour was turned upside down on Thursday during the fifth stage when Vollering was caught up in a huge crash six kilometres from the finish in Amneville, losing 1min 47sec on the leader.
But the Dutchwomen fought her way back and going into the final stage, she had cut that gap down to one minute 15 seconds.
Reigning Tour champion Vollering then produced a barnstorming performance in Sunday’s 150km slog from Le Grand-Bornand to Alpe d’Huez, outsprinting compatriot Pauliena Rooijakkers to the line to claim the stage win.
But the Polish rider managed to regroup and fought back in the final 5km to claw back precious seconds.
(AFP)
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