Kasia Niewiadoma claims solo win on Mont Ventoux, takes Tour de France Femmes lead

Kasia Niewiadoma delivered a dramatic solo performance on Mont Ventoux, securing her inaugural stage triumph in the Tour de France Femmes and seizing the race lead. Starting the day third overall, she attacked with nine kilometres remaining on the steep 15.7km climb, distancing Marlen Reusser and Demi Vollering and crossing the finish line with a margin of 1'16". Behind her, Vollering held on to second place, while Elisa Longo Borghini edged past a fading Reusser for third.

The win ends a seven-year drought for Niewiadoma and moves her fifteen seconds ahead of Vollering in the general classification, with Reusser now third, 39 seconds back. Niewiadoma credited her family, husband Taylor, and her team for the emotional victory. The race will continue with a flatter stage to Nice before concluding with a short, punchy finale featuring multiple climbs of the Col d'Eze.