In a display of sheer willpower and tactical brilliance, Kasia Niewiadoma of Canyon-SRAM etched her name into cycling history by winning the 2024 Tour de France Femmes by the slimmest of margins—just four seconds over her closest rival, Demi Vollering of SD Worx-Protime.
This victory marks not only Niewiadoma’s first yellow jersey but also the narrowest margin of victory ever seen in both women’s and men’s Tour de France history, surpassing even the iconic 1989 finish where Greg LeMond triumphed by eight seconds.
The Road to Victory
Niewiadoma’s journey to victory was anything but straightforward. The Polish rider took the overall lead after an impressive second-place finish on Stage 5, a stage that saw the previous leader, Vollering, lose 1:19 after a mass crash.
However, it was Stage 4 that truly ignited Niewiadoma’s bid for the yellow jersey. Combining the brutal climbs of the Amstel Gold Race and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, she finished third in a nail-biting photo finish behind Puck Pieterse and Vollering.
| Stage | Result | Key Moment |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3rd | Successful breakaway; gained valuable GC time |
| 5 | 2nd | Took overall lead after Vollering’s crash |
| 7 | 4th | Held off attacks on final climb |
A Tense Final Stage
The final showdown took place on Stage 8, a grueling 149.9km ride to the legendary Alpe d’Huez. Vollering, known for her climbing prowess, surged over the Col du Glandon, leaving Niewiadoma to chase with everything she had. The tension was palpable as Vollering crossed the finish line first, securing a crucial 10-second bonus that brought her within striking distance of the yellow jersey.
| Rider | Stage 8 Position | Overall GC Position | Time Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kasia Niewiadoma | 4th | 1st | – |
| Demi Vollering | 1st | 2nd | +4 sec |
| Pauliena Rooijakkers | 2nd | 3rd | +1:13 |
The Final Push
In the end, it was Niewiadoma’s ability to dig deep into her reserves on the final ascent of Alpe d’Huez that made the difference.
Despite finishing fourth, her effort was enough to hold onto the yellow jersey by just four seconds, making her the first Polish woman to win the Tour de France Femmes.
This victory is the culmination of years of near-misses and heartbreaks for Niewiadoma, who has often been a contender but never quite able to seal the deal in major stage races.
With this triumph, she not only secures her place among the greats but also adds an unforgettable chapter to the annals of cycling history.
A Season to Remember
Niewiadoma’s 2024 season has been nothing short of spectacular, with victories at Gravel Worlds, La Flèche Wallonne, and now, the Tour de France Femmes. This season stands as a testament to her resilience, strategy, and the unwavering support of her team.
| Achievement | Event | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel Worlds Champion | Gravel World Championships | October 2023 |
| La Flèche Wallonne Winner | La Flèche Wallonne | April 2024 |
| Tour de France Femmes Champion | Tour de France Femmes | July 2024 |
As Niewiadoma herself put it, “In racing, you need good legs, but you also need luck, and to be in the right place. This week, it was also about luck, being in the right place and having good legs. That is what you need to win a stage race.”
With her sights set on future victories, this may be just the beginning of a new era for Kasia Niewiadoma.