Taylor Phinney blasts FDJ United-SUEZ over Niewiadoma incident: ‘Something petty you’d see in a junior race’

Kasia Niewiadoma went from heaven to hell in the space of 24 hours. She claimed the yellow jersey with a sensational victory atop Mont Ventoux, only to be knocked out of the race lead by Demi Vollering one day later. Vollering’s FDJ United-SUEZ teammate Célia Gery was accused of impeding the Polish rider at a crucial moment. Taylor Phinney, Niewiadoma’s husband, has now delivered a highly critical assessment of those responsible on Instagram.

Niewiadoma had long appeared to be the third rider in the battle for yellow before turning the race on its head with a brilliant attack on Mont Ventoux. In stage 8, everything initially seemed under control until FDJ United-SUEZ began driving the pace hard. Vollering launched her attack on an extremely steep section of road, but at precisely that moment Niewiadoma was impeded by Gery, forcing the Polish rider to go around the Frenchwoman.

Niewiadoma initially managed to recover from the incident, but she later cracked on the climb. Heading into the final stage, she now needs to make up eight seconds on Vollering. “Yesterday was one to never forget, but today was incredibly stressful,” Phinney said. “It’s really tough not being there for Kasia in moments like these. I get a little too obsessed with analysing the footage, but either way, I’m supporting her, of course.”

Plenty of analysts have offered their views on whether Gery’s actions were deliberate and whether what she did crossed a line. The American has his own opinion. “Of course, this is bike racing, and people can race however they want, with respect for others or without it. I met plenty of riders during my career who raced without respect as well. But the peloton remembers who races with class and who doesn’t.”

Later, after reviewing new footage of the incident, Phinney was even more outspoken. “The rider in front did her job. Can you imagine a lead-out in a sprint doing the same thing? Kasia has the speed around the outside of the corner, but Gery accelerates again to push her wide through the turn, then cuts off her line on the exit, forcing Kasia to brake.”

For Phinney, there is therefore little doubt that the move went beyond what he considers acceptable racing. “Is it illegal? I don’t think so. Is it dirty riding? To me, yes. Resembles something petty you would see in a junior race or a parking lot crit, not a move you’d expect from one of the world’s best teams in the biggest race of the year,” he concluded.