Surprise Parents' Visit Inspires Niewiadoma-Phinney to Tour de France Femmes Lead

Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney launched a decisive attack on the iconic Mont Ventoux to win the seventh stage of the Tour de France Femmes, seizing the overall lead from Marlen Reusser. The victory marked a highly emotional moment for the rider, who was seen in tears as she donned the yellow jersey.

Niewiadoma-Phinney revealed that the surprise appearance of her parents on the roadside during the climb provided a powerful surge of motivation. "When I started climbing I looked to the right and I saw my parents standing on the roadside. They came today by surprise. I saw my father yelling for me and I thought I had to make him proud," she said.

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When I started climbing I looked to the right and I saw my parents standing on the roadside. They came today by surprise. I saw my father yelling for me and I thought I had to make him proud.

The Polish rider broke away from Reusser and 2023 champion Demi Vollering approximately 9 kilometers from the summit of Mont Ventoux, one of cycling's most legendary and challenging ascents. This marks Niewiadoma-Phinney's first stage win in the Tour de France Femmes, having previously won the 2024 edition without claiming a stage victory.

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I never chase victories for the sake of winning, I target them because I like this beautiful feeling I have right now.

After crossing the finish line, visibly exhausted, Niewiadoma-Phinney expressed her profound joy. "I never chase victories for the sake of winning, I target them because I like this beautiful feeling I have right now," she stated. She recalled previous experiences riding Mont Ventoux with friends and her husband, describing the feeling of reaching the summit as amazing and something she wanted to recapture.

In the final kilometers of the 15.7km ascent, Vollering managed to drop Reusser, who finished the stage in fourth place. Vollering and Elisa Longo Borghini of Italy finished ahead of Reusser. With only two stages left, Niewiadoma-Phinney holds a 15-second lead over Vollering and a 39-second advantage over Reusser. The upcoming eighth stage is a flat route for sprinters, concluding in Nice.

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The feeling of reaching the top of this mountain was amazing. From that moment, I just wanted to experience that feeling again. The pure joy of riding, as if I was a kid.