Tour de France: Niewiadoma triumphs on Mont Ventoux

Polish rider Kasia Niewiadoma convincingly won the queen stage of the Tour de France to the iconic Mont Ventoux.

August 07, 2026

From: apa

The 31-year-old also took over the yellow jersey two days before the end of the race. The 2024 Tour de France winner triumphed on Friday after the 21km climb up the Provençal giant, finishing 1:16 minutes ahead of Demi Vollering. The previous leader, Marlen Reusser (+1:46 min.), finished fourth behind Elisa Longo Borghini at an altitude of 1.900m.

Niewiadoma attacked from the leading group 9,5 km from the finish and steadily increased her lead with an impressive solo ride all the way to the finish. “I’m so tired and overwhelmed by what happened today. Honestly, it’s hard to describe, I’m speechless,” said the Canoyn rider, adding: “This victory belongs to so many people who have accompanied me on this long journey – my family, my husband, my coach, my team. I am so grateful to them.”

Niewiadoma grabbed the yellow jersey. © APA/afp / NICOLAS TUCAT

In the overall standings, the Canyon rider, who was previously third in the standings, leads by 15 seconds over Dutch rider Vollering (FDJ) after her first stage win of the Tour. Swiss rider Reusser (Movistar) follows in third place, 39 seconds behind.

Austrian climbing specialist Valentina Cavallar played no role in the women's inaugural Ventoux race. Her SD Worx captain, Anna van der Breggen, who was initially considered a favorite, didn't even start the seventh stage due to poor form. The highly decorated Dutch rider had so far performed far below her potential. Defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, who had also been struggling for days, was once again soundly beaten.

Keywords cycling racing bike Tour de France