As Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney turns her attention to the stage racing season at La Vuelta Femenina in May, she reflected on the conclusion of her Spring Classics campaign, where she finished on the podium behind solo winner Demi Vollering (FDJ United-SUEZ) and runner-up Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech) at Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes on Sunday.
"I'm happy about it. I believe that, as a team, we rode a nicer race and stayed together, and I was happy that I could pull off a podium. Demi was incredibly strong today," Niewiadona-Phinney said after sprinting in a small chase group against Pieterse and late-bridger Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime).
The Polish Champion was one of the pre-race favourites after finishing second at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Strade Bianche and Amstel Gold Race, and fourth at Flèche Wallonne, but she could not hold onto Vollering's searing solo attack over the Côte de la Redoute with 35km remaining in the elite women's 156km Monument.
"Of course, you always feel a little upset that you could not follow, but at the same time, I feel like it gives me extra motivation to work harder so that I can eventually close the gap. I'm definitely pleased about the result," she said.
She initially entered into a chase group with Pieterse and Lidl-Trek teammates Isabella Holmgren and Niamh Fisher-Black.
"Once you go into a red zone, and then you have to chase or go full gas, there is not much going on; you just know that you have to try your best," Niewiadoma-Phinney said.
"I tried to close the gap on the uphill section or come closer, but of course, Demi is a world-class rider, and it wasn't easy. It was nice that we were all committed and everyone wanted to contribute to the chase."
The two Lidl-Trek riders were eventually distanced and then replaced by Van der Breggen, who had bridged across from a chase group that had included World Champion Magdeleine Vallières, Axelle Dubau-Prévot (both EF Education-Oatly), Paula Blasi (UAE Team ADQ), Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Visma-Lease a Bike), Lore De Schepper (AG Insurance-Soudal), and Vollering's teammates Elise Chabbey and Juliette Berthet.
"I was surprised to see Anna van der Breggen bridging back across from the back, and we lost Isabella [Holmgren] and gained Anna, in the end. I was feeling less confident with Anna in the mix because, of course, she is also a strong sprinter," Niewiadoma-Phinney said of the final where Van der Breggen led the trio into the final stretch, only to be outsprinted by both at the line.
"I think that at the end of such a hard race, you never know who will have legs. I was happy that I could get on the podium because I've been fourth here multiple times, and I'm happy I could avoid that again."
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