Kasia Niewiadoma wins TdF Femmes by four seconds

18 august 2024, alpe d'huez france | recap of the final stage of the 2024 tour de france femmes as published on bike network in south africa

The majestic Col du Glandon and Alpe D’Huez climbs set the scene for a nail-biting final 70km’s of the Tour de France Femmes as Demi Vollering, Pauliena Rooijakkers and Kasia Niewiadoma battled for the GC.

18 august 2024, alpe d'huez france | recap of the final stage of the 2024 tour de france femmes as published on bike network in south africa
Niewiadoma, all-in on the final climb.

Earlier in the week, defending champion Vollering lost over a minute in a bunch crash which had her chasing GC time and on the offense rolling into Sunday’s Queen Stage. With about 53km to go, Vollering attacked, taking Rooijakkers with her, however Niewiadoma could not match the pace and dropped more than a minute back.

18 august 2024, alpe d'huez france | recap of the final stage of the 2024 tour de france femmes as published on bike network in south africa
The whole stage was such a crazy roller-coaster. I had a really bad moment on Glandon, then on the descent I was able to refresh. On Alpe D’Huez I knew I just had to pace myself smart and give my best in the last 5km.” – Kasia Niewiadoma

Through the valley and onto Alpe D’Huez it was Vollering doing most of the work in the break, with Rooijakkers looking fresh but sitting in. On the final climb, Niewiadoma drove the chase group as the virtual GC continued to yoyo.

18 august 2024, alpe d'huez france | recap of the final stage of the 2024 tour de france femmes as published on bike network in south africa
Niewiadoma lost second place in last year’s Tour by just a handful of seconds. This year, it all went her way.

Into the final kilometers and Rooijakkers goes to the front, putting Vollering onto the limit. Seeking the maximum time bonus, Vollering then put in one final effort into the last corner and up the final stretch, which ensured she won the stage from Rooijakkers. With the clock ticking, all eyes were on Niewiadoma who crossed the line to win the yellow jersey, by just four seconds.

18 august 2024, alpe d'huez france | recap of the final stage of the 2024 tour de france femmes as published on bike network in south africa
Final GC podium from left: Demi Vollering, race winner Kasia Niewiadoma and third place rider Pauliena Rooijakkers were seperated by just 10 seconds after a total race time of more than 24 hours.

Riding injured, the defending champion Vollering won one of the hardest stages that women’s cycling has seen and rode a very good Tour de France. //

Images by UCI/CanyonSRAM/Alex Broadway/Getty Images/Facebook


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