Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney: She bet everything on one card

Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney showcased her unwavering determination in the Tour de France Femmes, securing second place overall despite a difficult final stage. Though she ultimately couldn't hold off Demi Vollering, Niewiadoma-Phinney's repeated attempts to break away and her strong performance on Mont Ventoux, where she briefly took the lead, underscored her tenacious spirit.

Her former coach, Zbigniew Klęk, who also trained Rafał Majka, described Niewiadoma-Phinney's inherent fighting spirit and love for the sport from her early days. He recalled her willingness to push herself, even as a junior competing with older athletes, and her immediate success, winning a medal in her first year of training. Klęk noted that Niewiadoma-Phinney's dedication set her apart from other talented cyclists who faltered due to distractions like social life or relationships.

Despite predictions that her appearance or social life might hinder her perseverance, Niewiadoma-Phinney remained focused. "Kasia would go to training whether it rained or not," Klęk emphasized. Her commitment even led the experienced coach to break his own rule of not training female cyclists, recognizing her exceptional drive and spirit. Her career is a testament to her resilience and singular focus on achieving success in professional cycling.

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Kasia would go to training whether it rained or not