Niewiadoma furious with Vollering’s team and confronts Gery: ‘I’ve lost all respect for them’

Kasia Niewiadoma delivered a fiery reaction in the heat of the moment after Stage 8 of the Tour de France Femmes. The Polish CANYON//SRAM rider started the day in the yellow jersey after her stunning show of strength on Mont Ventoux on Friday, but lost the race lead just one day later following an attack from Demi Vollering. According to Niewiadoma, however, that was far from the whole story.

Niewiadoma produced the ride of her life on Mont Ventoux on Friday, taking both the stage victory and the overall race lead into stage 8. She held a 15-second advantage over Vollering, who unsurprisingly tried to make something happen during the tricky finale toward Nice. The Dutchwoman had FDJ United-SUEZ drive hard at the front on a steady climb late in the stage before launching her own move on the steep ramp that followed.

Vollering immediately opened a gap over Niewiadoma, but according to the outgoing yellow jersey wearer, there was more to what happened than simply being unable to follow the acceleration. “At the start of the climb [the uncategorized wall with steep gradients, ed.], I was deliberately blocked by Célia Gery,” she said, referring to the highly talented young French rider from FDJ United-SUEZ and therefore one of Vollering’s teammates.

Gery had just completed her final turn on the front of the group of favorites, effectively setting up Vollering’s attack. Niewiadoma, however, was unable to respond immediately. “I was forced toward the barriers, so I had to stop pedaling. If they want to compete, they should do it fairly. I’ve lost all respect for them.”

Niewiadoma made those comments only moments after crossing the finish line. She was still sitting on the road and had already blurted out that “they blocked me.” When Gery was giving an interview a little later, Niewiadoma interrupted and confronted the Frenchwoman directly. “Why did you do that? Why did you force me toward the barriers? Was that part of the plan?”

In the end, Niewiadoma walked away without receiving an answer from Gery. “She can answer, can’t she?” she asked the press officer once more before members of her team led her away.