A beaming Canyon-SRAM rider hoists her yellow bike in the air at the summit of the iconic Alpe d’Huez in front of ecstatic fans. It has been an arduous 150km, racing from Le Grand-Bornand to the famous ski resort in the valley of Les Grandes Rousses, via the interminable Col du Glandon. But Canyon-SRAM’s Kasia Niewiadoma is overjoyed and emotional to discover that she is the winner of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift – by just 4 seconds – from her nearest rival, and previous race leader, Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime).
This reversal of fortunes in the Polish rider’s favour had come when Vollering was sadly involved in a pile-up during the latter part of Stage 5, and an error in team tactics left her isolated, subsequently haemorrhaging over a minute in her general classification bid. While observers hoped the SD Worx rider hadn’t come to any harm, they recognised it is part of racing. Nevertheless, fans were thrilled to see Niewiadoma’s dogged efforts over the season had paid off, and she was awarded the yellow jersey.
It would remain on her shoulders all the way to the Alpe d’Huez finale. One person who was particularly pleased was Connie Carpenter-Phinney. The American former road racer has followed her daughter-in-law’s career through the highs and many disappointments, notably at the recent women’s Olympic Road Race in Paris.
Caught behind a crash in Montmartre, 48km from the finish, it became impossible for Niewiadoma to join the lead riders, Ma.