Katarzyna Niewiadoma, a talented Polish cyclist, clinched her first women’s Tour de France victory by a mere four seconds on Sunday.
The 29-year-old rider, representing Canyon SRAM, showcased incredible grit and determination during the challenging final ascent in the Alps.
Despite finishing one minute and one second behind stage winner Demi Vollering, Niewiadoma maintained her lead and secured the coveted yellow jersey. Visibly emotional, she described the entire stage as a wild rollercoaster of emotions.
The Tour was turned upside down on Thursday during the fifth stage when Vollering was caught up in a huge crash six kilometers from the finish in Amneville, losing 1 minute and 47 seconds on the leader.
But the Dutchwoman fought her way back, and going into the final stage, she reduced that gap to one minute and 15 seconds.
Reigning Tour champion Vollering 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.
Niewiadoma struggled on the Glandon ascent and seemed set to throw away her lead as her rival surged ahead and provisionally took the lead in the general ranking at several stages.
But the Polish rider regrouped and fought back in the final 5km to claw precious seconds.
Vollering and Niewiadoma faced a nerve-wracking wait once across the line for the official confirmation of who would be the last to hold the yellow jersey in the third edition of the women’s Tour.
The duo dissolved into tears of drastically varying emotions when the news filtered through that the Pole had claimed a historic win by the narrowest of margins.
