Kasia Niewiadoma is in yellow at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift after today’s fifth stage in Amnéville. The CANYON//SRAM Racing rider finished second on the stage and moved from third into the general classification lead. 

Several breakaways shaped the early part of the race before, finally, a three-rider move held the lead until the closing kilometres. Alice Towers had tried to bridge across but was later caught in a fast-paced race over the 150km parcours. 

A crash with less than 7km to go caused several riders to come down and split what was already a small peloton. The first two riders from the breakaway were caught with 4km to go, while Loes Adegeest (FDJ) was still leading the race further ahead. Chloé Dygert led Kasia and a small group who caught Adegeest with just over 2km to go. Kasia attacked on the final climb before the flamme rouge, and although she reduced the group size again, she could not gain a gap. Kristen Faulkner (EFC) also tried to attack but was quickly reeled in. In the sprint, Lianne Lippert (MOV) started first, with Kasia taking over and leading until the final 50 metres, where Blanka Vas (SDW) passed her to take the stage win.

Kasia now leads the overall Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift for the first time in her career and the first time for CANYON//SRAM Racing. Kasia is nineteen seconds ahead of Faulkner overall, and Neve Bradbury remains fifth in the youth classification. Tomorrow, Kasia and her teammates will aim to defend the yellow jersey on a hilly stage from Remiremont to Morteau.

REACTIONS

Kasia Niewiadoma: “It was a hard stage, never super flat and everyone wanted to be in the breakaway in the first part of the race. It was a very challenging day and mentally a hard stage. 

We knew the final would be hectic, so the goal was to stay in front. I was really happy to have Chloé and Soraya (Paladin) with me in the last kilometres. I thought we had a gap because of the technical descent. I told Chloé to go because we wanted the stage win. In the sprint, I felt with 100m to go, even 50m to go, that I had the stage victory, but then Blanka passed me. It’s not how you want to take the yellow jersey in this way, and I hope everyone involved in the crash is okay.”

Ronny Lauke, Team Manager: “I believe not many riders in the peloton will deserve to wear the yellow jersey more than Kasia. I hope she really can enjoy wearing the yellow jersey. We will try to keep it on her shoulders for as long as possible. It will be a hard fight over the next three days, but we look forward to it.”

Chloé Dygert: “The original plan was for me to attack with around 1km to go and I was all in for that. Kasia had said in the race meeting that we needed to be in the front for the final five kilometres because it was going to be hectic with the roundabouts, so I was really happy to be there. When I got told to go at 5km to go, I thought that’s too far for my attack, but I quickly realised it was a lead out for Kasia. I’m really happy to be there to help Kasia.”

HOW TO WATCH

The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift can be followed on X with #TDFF2024 and #WatchTheFemmes. A daily broadcast can be found on France TV, RTBF, VRT, TG4, NOS, TV2, Eurosport, RTVE, SRG-SSR, SPORTSCHAU, CARACOL, RCN, FRANCE 24, SUPERSPORT, ABU DHABI SPORTS, FLOBIKES, CNBC, PEACOCK, ESPN, SBS, JSPORTS, SKY SPORT, ZHIBO TV, TV5MONDE and MAX.

Stage 6 | Remiremont – Morteau | 159.2km | 11:30CEST | Broadcast 13:30CEST.

Stage 7 | Champagnole – Le Grand-Bornand | 166.4km | 10:30CEST | Broadcast 13:00CEST.

Stage 8 | Le Grand-Bornand – Alpe D’Huez | 149.9km | 13:40CEST | Broadcast 16:20CEST

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