Kasia Niewiadoma delivered a spectacular solo performance on the legendary Mont Ventoux, seizing the overall lead in the Tour de France Femmes after dropping her main rivals. The 31-year-old Polish rider, who won the yellow jersey in 2024, now leads Demi Vollering by 15 seconds and Marlen Reusser by 39 seconds with just two stages remaining.
A Historic Climb
Niewiadoma's victory on stage seven marked the first Tour stage win of her career, achieved on one of cycling's most iconic climbs. “It's hard to describe my feelings because I'm still blown away by what just happened,” she said after the stage. The win was built on a devastating acceleration just under 10km from the summit, after she, Reusser, and Vollering had broken clear of the peloton.
The decisive move came after Vollering's initial attack on the Virage du Bois hairpin was quickly neutralized by Reusser and Niewiadoma. The trio then worked together to extend their advantage, but Niewiadoma's surge left her rivals hesitating. “It means the world to me to get the yellow jersey by winning on the Ventoux,” she added. “A lot of work went into it. Each year you have to come to the Tour even stronger than the year before because the level is going up so much.”
Tactical Battle Unfolds
Reusser, who had held the race lead since Tuesday's time trial, saw her advantage evaporate on the climb. Niewiadoma's pace on the approach to Chalet Reynard left Reusser and Vollering struggling to respond. The stalemate was finally broken when Vollering attacked Reusser in the final kilometer to take second on the stage, while Reusser crossed the line in a weary fourth place.
“We have a strong team,” Niewiadoma said, “but I'm expecting a massive fight for everything – points, bonus seconds, everything – because the gap is so small.” The final two stages in the hills around Nice could see a replay of her epic 2024 duel with Vollering on Alpe d'Huez.
Casualties on the Giant of Provence
The stage took a heavy toll on several contenders. Anna van der Breggen of SD Worx-Protime withdrew before the start, with sports director Danny Stam explaining, “We kept hoping she would start to feel better as the race progressed, but unfortunately that improvement never came. We decided not to take any unnecessary risks and to give her the rest she needs.” The 36-year-old Dutch rider had finished second in the Vuelta and third in the Giro earlier this year.
Defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and stage six winner Kim Le Court both lost significant time, ending their overall hopes. Ferrand-Prévot's teammate Femke de Vries also struggled, joining forces with her leader to limit losses. Despite the challenges, Niewiadoma's preparation paid off; she trained on the Ventoux in June with her husband, former professional Taylor Phinney, describing it as a “romantic getaway.”
Looking Ahead
With the race heading into its final weekend, the general classification remains tightly contested. Vollering, the 2023 champion, is poised to challenge Niewiadoma in the remaining stages. Reusser, despite losing the yellow jersey, remains within striking distance at 39 seconds. The stage also saw Noemi Rüegg set a fierce pace for EF Education-Oatly's Cédrine Kerbaol, but she was eventually swept away by Vollering's accelerations.
Niewiadoma's victory on Mont Ventoux not only secured the yellow jersey but also cemented her status as a formidable climber. The 2026 edition of the Tour de France Femmes has already delivered one of its most memorable stages, and the battle for the overall title promises more drama in the days ahead.
