Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney Claims Stage Win and Overall Lead at Tour de France Femmes

Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney achieved her first stage win at the Tour de France Femmes during a solo ascent of Mont Ventoux, also taking the overall race lead.

The stage, known as the 'queen stage', featured the iconic Mont Ventoux climb for the first time. Niewiadoma-Phinney started the 146.8km ride from La Voulte-sur-Rhone in third place, trailing race leader Marlen Reusser by 1 minute and 17 seconds.

With 9km remaining in the climb, the Canyon-SRAM rider launched an attack, ultimately finishing 1 minute and 16 seconds ahead of Demi Vollering, who placed second. Reusser followed 30 seconds later, while defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot finished over 10 minutes behind. Niewiadoma-Phinney now leads Vollering by 15 seconds with two stages left in the competition.