Everyone was expecting Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar) and Demi Vollering (SD Worx) to duke it out at the front of the field on the Col d'Aspin and Col du Tourmalet, but Kasia Niewiadoma inserted herself into the middle of the stage 7 Tour de France Femmes battle and took full advantage of the duo's intense rivalry. The end result is that the Canyon-SRAM rider is heading into the final stage second overall.
Niewiadoma entered the queen stage in fifth spot in the battle for yellow and while the departure of the next rider up the results list, Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek), left her moving up the standings to fourth before a pedal stroke was turned, once the race hit the climbs Niewiadoma immediately made it clear that her sights were set higher. She intended to earn a spot on the podium for a second year running.
"I am super proud, super happy. It was an immense effort and not only for myself but from the whole team," said Niewiadoma who initially launched on the Col d'Aspin ascent with Van Vleuten and Vollering but then distanced them on the descent as the games between the pair began.
"Once I had a quick glance behind me and I saw that they were looking at each other, and also on the climb on the Col d’Aspin Demi didn’t want to work with us, so I knew that she would not work with Annemiek," said Niewiadoma.
