Niewiadoma-Phinney wins on Ventoux to take Tour lead

Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney delivered a stunning solo performance to win the queen stage of the Tour de France Femmes atop Mont Ventoux, seizing the overall race lead. This marks her first stage victory in the prestigious event.

The iconic Mont Ventoux climb was featured in the Tour de France Femmes for the first time this year. Niewiadoma-Phinney, who started the 146.8km stage from La Voulte-sur-Rhone in third place overall, launched a decisive attack with 9 kilometers left on the climb. She had been trailing race leader Marlen Reusser by one minute and 17 seconds.

As the 31-year-old Polish rider pulled away, the battle for the yellow jersey intensified. She crossed the finish line one minute and 16 seconds ahead of Dutch rider Demi Vollering, with Reusser finishing a further 30 seconds behind. Defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot was more than ten minutes down.

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I'm blown away with what just happened. This victory goes to so many people that were with me along this very long road without proper big wins.

Niewiadoma-Phinney now holds a 15-second advantage over Vollering in the general classification, with Swiss rider Reusser in third place, 39 seconds adrift. Two stages remain in the race. Niewiadoma-Phinney expressed her elation, dedicating the win to her supporters and sharing an emotional moment seeing her parents, including her crying father, on the roadside during the climb.

The penultimate stage on Saturday is the longest of the race, a mostly flat 171.9km route from Sisteron to Nice, expected to favor sprinters. The final classification battle will likely be decided on Sunday's 99.2km mountain stage, which starts and ends in Nice.

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It was so funny, as we started to climb Mont Ventoux I looked to my right and saw my parents. They made a surprise visit and I could see my dad crying. I was like 'I just need to make them proud'.