Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney launched a decisive attack up Mont Ventoux to win the seventh stage of the Women's Tour de France and take the overall lead from Marlen Reusser on Friday.
The 15.7-kilometer ascent of Ventoux, one of the most iconic climbs in cycling, featured three smaller climbs and a gradient of nearly 9%. Niewiadoma-Phinney broke away about nine kilometers from the top of Ventoux and Reusser and Demi Vollering, the 2023 champion, could not follow her.
Niewiadoma-Phinney gritted her teeth in the final few hundred meters and dug deep to cross the line, raising her arms in triumph. She then almost lost balance through fatigue and had to be helped off her bike.
The stage win marked a first for Niewiadoma-Phinney, who won the 2024 edition without claiming a stage win. She now leads 2023 champion Demi Vollering by 15 seconds and Reusser by 39 with two stages left.
Reusser struggled at the end of the stage, battling gamely but losing valuable time in the title fight. She finished the stage fourth, as Vollering and Elisa Longo Borghini of Italy both placed ahead of her.
Vollering had moved ahead first, and Niewiadoma-Phinney and Reusser joined her as others lagged behind. Niewiadoma-Phinney then attacked and proved too strong for Vollering, who stood up in her saddle to chase her.
The stage marked a crucial moment in the Women's Tour de France, with the title fight intensifying. Reusser's chances of taking the overall lead have been dealt a significant blow, while Niewiadoma-Phinney's victory has put her firmly in the driving seat.
Saturday's eighth stage is a flat 172-kilometer route for sprinters finishing in Nice, where the race ends after another mountain stage on Sunday. Stage 9 features four sharp climbs of Col d'Èze, nestled in the hills overlooking the tiny Principality of Monaco.
Niewiadoma-Phinney, who is married to former Tour sprinter Taylor Phinney, has a significant lead heading into the final two stages of the Women's Tour de France. Her victory on Mont Ventoux has put her in a strong position to claim the overall title.
Source: Yahoo Sports