Kasia Niewiadoma credits Dutch coach as Tour de France Femmes form clicks into place

For a moment — just a moment — it looked as though Kasia Niewiadoma might take advantage of the tactical battle between Marlen Reusser and Demi Vollering in Wednesday’s Tour de France Femmes. The Canyon//SRAM rider knew she had to seize her opportunity in the final few hundred metres, but Vollering still managed to throw her front wheel across the line first.

Niewiadoma was the only rider able to follow Vollering’s acceleration on Mont Brouilly. Reusser was forced to allow a small gap to open, but the Swiss rider quickly made contact again on the descent. The three then decided to work well together, knowing their cooperation could also help them secure places on the final podium.

The Polish rider once again underlined her excellent form after already impressing in the time trial one day earlier. “This race is extremely important to both my team and me, so I always want to make sure I arrive at the start in the best possible shape.”

That mindset put Niewiadoma in a position to challenge for the stage victory. Speaking to Eurosport, she explained what she saw during the final kilometre. “I could see that the gap was very small, so I noticed the tension — or rather the tactical game — between them, and I wanted to use that to my advantage.”

And so she started from far back. “Honestly, I thought I had it in the bag. I just had to keep pushing all the way to the finish without looking up, but then I suddenly saw that wheel appearing on my right... Better luck next time!”

After the finish, Vollering acknowledged that she and Niewiadoma may have an advantage over Reusser, as both already know what it takes to win the Tour de France Femmes. That sets up an intriguing battle over the coming days, particularly on Friday, when the race heads to Mont Ventoux.

Niewiadoma — now third overall at 1 minute and 17 seconds — also has another important asset in her corner. Since the end of last year, she has been working with Louis Delahaije, who spent many years coaching Annemiek van Vleuten. “Together with Louis, I have worked on so many different aspects. Now all the puzzle pieces are falling into place, so I’m very happy,” she said of her current form.