Cyclist Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney secures a position advancement during the fifth stage of the Tour de France Femmes, but laments her performance in the sprint finish, ending on the fifth spot.
The Tour de France Femmes 2022 has seen a gruelling battle among the peloton, with riders pushing themselves to their limits both physically and mentally. One rider who has stood out is reigning champion Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney.
In the fifth stage, which featured constant fighting for position, Niewiadoma-Phinney earned two bonus seconds on the final climb of the day, the third-category Le Maupuy. This was her first bonus seconds of the race. The stage also saw a slimming down of the General Classification (GC) contenders, with a clear hierarchy emerging.
However, Niewiadoma-Phinney admitted to making a mistake on the run to the line in the closing sprint of stage 5. She lost momentum and, as a result, missed out on crucial time bonuses at the finish. This misstep cost her valuable seconds, leaving her 24 seconds off stage winner and new GC leader Kim Le Court-Pienaar.
Despite this setback, Niewiadoma-Phinney remains a strong contender overall. She finished the stage in the lead group with podium contenders Le Court-Pienaar, Vollering, and Van der Breggen. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, Sarah Gigante, and Pauliena Rooijakkers also made the lead group. Niewiadoma-Phinney ended up finishing fourth in the stage, a mere second behind Demi Vollering in the overall standings.
The hardest part of the race is yet to come, according to Niewiadoma-Phinney. The race moves into the Massif Central and the Alps, stages that she finds enjoyable due to their challenging climbs. Niewiadoma-Phinney is well back in the mix for the GC in this year's Tour de France Femmes, and she will be looking to regain some lost ground in the coming stages.
[1] Source: Cyclingnews
[2] Source: Cyclingnews
- The grueling Tour de France Femmes 2022, with its challenging climbs, remains a battleground where sports prowess is tested, as demonstrated by riders like Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney who continue to push their limits.
- Despite a small misstep in the closing sprint of stage 5, Niewiadoma-Phinney remains a force to be reckoned with in the Tour de France Femmes 2022, showcasing her resilience and persistence in the world of sports.
