Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney recalls ‘unforgettable' 2024 Tour de France Femmes win
Niewiadoma-Phinney started the stage to Alpe d'Huez with an advantage of one minute 15 seconds over pre-race favourite Demi Vollering, but the Dutchwoman attacked on the Col du Glandon, building a lead of over a minute on her way to the stage win.
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When the calculations were done, Niewiadoma-Phinney had won by just four seconds – the smallest margin of victory in the history of the women's or the men's Tour de France.
'It was euphoric and unforgettable,' the Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto rider told the PA news agency. 'I think it's proof of hard work and persistence and never giving up.
'I was lucky. I didn't have to go through all the nerves and second counting. I was just doing my best. I was just on the bike fighting for my life.
'It's fun listening to people's stories, what they went through watching the race and how it affected them and how they were able to resonate with the pain I was experiencing.'
Victory in the biggest race on the calendar was a major breakthrough for the 30-year-old, who was third in both 2022 and 2023, in keeping with a career in which she has always been a major contender but rarely on the top step herself.
'For many years there were many occasions where I knew I was the strongest, I was making others suffer, but I was not able to finish it because in racing…there are so many variables and different factors,' she said.
'I feel like I always had confidence…because I knew I could make them suffer, but something else had to happen for me to cross the finish line first. I was never hard on myself because I knew the reality.'
Niewiadoma-Phinney was crowned Polish champion in late June, but her 2025 season has been hampered since a heavy crash at Strade Bianche in March. It was not until the Tour de Suisse that she showed real form with third place overall.
The last few weeks have been spent at altitude camp in Andorra, making the final preparations for her title defence.
Many riders struggle with the isolation of these remote training camps, but not Niewiadoma-Phinney.
'It's not the lifestyle I want to continue for the rest of my life, but when I have a big goal I'm more than happy to dive into this monk's lifestyle,' she said. 'When you do that, you see the progress quickly.'
This year's Tour has grown to nine stages, starting in Vannes on Saturday and heading east across France to a conclusion in the Alps.
Memories of last year will fuel Niewiadoma-Phinney's search for more glory.
'Celebrations like that really make you tremble,' she said. 'I feel like we are hungry for more.'
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The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Tour de France 2025: Arensman pips Pogacar and Vingegaard to win stage 19 on La Plagne
Update: Date: 2025-07-25T19:04:13.000Z Title: Stage 19 report: Content: Thymen Arensman clinched his second stage win while Tadej Pogacar comfortably defended his GC lead Luke McLaughlin Fri 25 Jul 2025 18.31 CEST First published on Fri 25 Jul 2025 12.30 CEST 6.26pm CEST 18:26 And there you have it. Pogacar keeps his commanding GC lead, Onley looks to have sewn up fourth, which is a remarkable performance over three weeks, and Arensman now has two Tour stage wins to go with his two Vuelta wins from 2022. Jonathan Milan is odds-on to seal the points classification and Florian Lipowitz will be the best young rider. Pogacar tops the KOM classification with 117pts, Vingegaard is second with 104, Martinez third with 97. Arensman, after today's win, went fourth with 85pts. Thanks for reading and I'll see you soon. Updated at 6.31pm CEST 6.25pm CEST 18:25 Pogacar speaks: 'We did a really good job until the last climb. Then some teams, some riders, think they can sprint 19km of the climb. The pace was incredibly high at the start. I was thinking maybe Jonas wanted to win a stage, but then he was just holding on to my wheel. 'Arensman went on a good attack. I decided not to follow, set my rhythm. A defensive rhythm that I feel comfortable with. And yeah, in the end, it was like this. I am just happy it's over, and two more days to Paris. 'I had to pull the whole climb in the end. Of course I came quite tired to the finish line. But also, it was tough, the last three days for me. I'm happy that today is over. We go tomorrow. 'You never know. It's Tour de France. We keep concentrated, and yeah, let's go.' 6.16pm CEST 18:16 1) Milan 352pts 2) Pogacar 272pts 3) Girmay 213pts 4) Vingegaard 182pts 5) Turgis 169pts 6.13pm CEST 18:13 The sprinters have rolled in with five minutes to spare. Hence, Jonathan Milan is looking very good for the points classification. Updated at 6.14pm CEST 6.11pm CEST 18:11 'It's a game,' Gasparotto says of Red Bull-Bora's tactics. 'If you want to win big, you have to risk a little bit, otherwise you don't win big. 'We did a lot of analysis of Lipo's performance [yesterday]. We were quite confident, staying on the wheel of Onley, that Lipo could be superior in the final.' Updated at 6.12pm CEST 6.09pm CEST 18:09 Enrico Gasparotto of Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe speaks to Hannah Walker on TNT Sports and is asked about their tactics: 'I would say it was clear yesterday that Primoz really wanted to win a stage. He knew our team goal was to finish on the podium, but for himself, he badly wanted to win a stage. At the end, this is what he did, he tried yesterday … at the end he missed the opportunity. Today was the last opportunity, he wanted to go flat out from the start. For us, for Lipo, it could work also for him. This is what he did. At the end, it's a tactic we agreed on.' Updated at 6.16pm CEST 5.57pm CEST 17:57 Roglic has dropped to eighth in GC, 25min 30sec down on the leader. A spectacular drop after his stage-winning attempts earlier. Updated at 6.02pm CEST 5.50pm CEST 17:50 Arensman, the stage winner, has a chat: 'I'm absolutely destroyed. I can't believe it. To win one stage, from a break … now against the GC group, the strongest riders in the world, it feels like I'm dreaming. I don't know what I just did. 'After the descent to La Plagne, we were talking in the radio … I said to the DS in the radio, today is the last mountain stage, I have no GC to ride for, but I will try to hang on for a few kilometres in the climb, and see how the legs feel. Tobias [Foss], I told him straight away swing off, then tomorrow is your day. 'I started the climb, I thought, I have no GC [aims]: maybe they will look at each other? You know what, I'll just try it. I just don't take no for an answer. 'Everyone knows Tadej and Jonas are the strongest in the world, almost aliens. Then just as a human, I still want to try to beat them. I just can't believe I beat them today. 'I tried to not look behind, just go as fast as I could, and it was enough. It's crazy. I was the first two weeks in the Giro, it was really good for me, the first two weeks, but then I got sick and someone crashed into me, and my knee was hurting a lot. I got to Rome … but to get to the Tour, to get two stage victories. It's just crazy. I don't know!' Updated at 6.18pm CEST 5.44pm CEST 17:44 1) Tadej Pogacar 69hr 41min 46sec 2) Jonas Vingegaard +4min 24sec 3) Florian Lipowitz +11min 09sec 4) Oscar Onley +12min 12sec 5) Felix Gall +17min 12sec 6) Tobias Johannessen +20min 14sec 7) Kevin Vauquelin (+22min 35sec) 8) Primoz Roglic (+25min 30sec) 9) Ben Healy (28 min 02sec) 10) Ben O'Connor (+34min 34sec) So Onley is 1min 03sec behind Lipowitz now. Updated at 5.59pm CEST 5.42pm CEST 17:42 The worst-case scenario for Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe, after Roglic's kamikaze attack for the stage win, was for Onley to skip away from Lipowitz on the final climb. But ultimately the German was much stronger. Updated at 5.45pm CEST 5.40pm CEST 17:40 1) Thymen Arensman 2hr 46min 06sec 2) Jonas Vingegaard +2sec 3) Tadej Pogacar +2sec 4) Florian Lipowitz +6sec 5) Oscar Onley +47sec 6) Felix Gall +1min 34sec 7) Tobias Johannessen +1min 41sec 8) Ben Healy +2min 19sec 9) Valentin Paret-Peintre +3min 47sec 10) Simon Yates +3min 54sec 5.36pm CEST 17:36 Vingegaard came in second, two seconds behind the winner. 5.35pm CEST 17:35 Now here comes Ben Healy. What a race he's had for EF Education–EasyPost, by the way. Arensman collapses with exhaustion near the finish line. He appears to be weeping with joy. And why not? Updated at 5.35pm CEST 5.34pm CEST 17:34 Pogacar appeared to collide with a member of staff at the line, but it was a minor knock. Onley comes in 45sec behind Arensman. The other three were nothing more than three, four seconds behind the stage winner. 5.33pm CEST 17:33 A second stage win of the race for the Ineos Grenadiers rider. He clings on, but only just. What a brave victory. Updated at 5.45pm CEST 5.32pm CEST 17:32 200m to go: Arensman is going to cling on! 5.31pm CEST 17:31 500m to go: Arensman kicks! He's got six seconds! 5.31pm CEST 17:31 600m to go: Only 8sec for Arensman! 5.30pm CEST 17:30 800m to go: Lipowitz is setting the pace for the chasers. Onley battles on back down the road but he will not get back in touch. 5.30pm CEST 17:30 1km to go: Flamme rouge for Arensman! But he has only 15sec! I think they might just catch him … 5.29pm CEST 17:29 1.3km to go: Lipowitz leads Pogacar. Vingegaard is there, but has again been helpless to make any inroads into Pogacar's lead. 5.28pm CEST 17:28 1.5km to go: Onley is now distanced slightly and Lipowitz, sensing weakness, ups the pace. Onley's chance of the podium looks to be gone unless he can make up time tomorrow or on Sunday. Updated at 8.50pm CEST 5.28pm CEST 17:28 2km to go: Onley is suffering. He drops off the back of Lipowitz's wheel for a few seconds. Pogacar looks happy simply to mark Vingegaard and let Arensman have the stage. 5.27pm CEST 17:27 2.5km to go: It's now or never for Pogacar? And indeed now or never for Onley to try and make up that 22sec. 5.26pm CEST 17:26 3km to go: The crowds are huge and noisy now. Arensman makes his way through a large, screaming group of fans. The group of four, the top four in GC at the Tour de France, follow 19sec later. Is Pogacar happy to let Arensman have the stage win? Updated at 8.51pm CEST 5.24pm CEST 17:24 3.5km to go: Vauquelin is in a group of six, five minutes down on the leaders now. A tough day for the Frenchman who will be overhauled in the GC and certainly be knocked down to eighth, at least. Updated at 8.51pm CEST 5.23pm CEST 17:23 4km to go: Onley sits third wheel. Lipowitz remains glued (not literally) to the 22-year-old Scot's back wheel. 5.22pm CEST 17:22 4.5km to go: It's a 25sec lead for Arensman. Pogacar has clearly upped things a bit behind, but it looks like Arensman has responded. Gall and Johannessen are now alone, third group on the road, having dropped the former yellow jersey-wearer Ben Healy. Updated at 8.51pm CEST 5.20pm CEST 17:20 5km to go: Arensman stands up and dances on his pedals, maintaining a strong rhythm. He still has 24sec. La Plagne's ski chalets dot the sides of the road. Updated at 8.52pm CEST 5.19pm CEST 17:19 5.5km to go: Pogacar continues to control the pace in this group of four. The gap shrinks to 25sec, between them and Arensman. Neither Onley nor Lipowitz look to have the legs to attack at this stage. But of course they are riding their own head-to-head race, like Pogacar and Vingegaard, above them in GC. Updated at 8.52pm CEST 5.17pm CEST 17:17 6km to go: Arensman looks a tiny bit ragged but is still putting plenty of power into the pedals. He knows a second stage win of the race is in reach … But he also knows there is a big threat in yellow back down the road. 5.16pm CEST 17:16 6.5km to go: Pogacar, Vingegaard, Onley, Lipowitz, in that order, in this second group on the road. Arensman, grinding it out up front, has 31sec. 5.15pm CEST 17:15 6.5km to go: Pogacar attacks! Vingegaard follows, and Onley too, and momentarily a gap opens up to Lipowitz! But the German manages to get back on. 5.14pm CEST 17:14 7km to go: Arensman has 35sec. Is Pogacar waiting for the steepest slopes? Is Lipowitz going to try and attack? 5.12pm CEST 17:12 7.5km to go: Vauquelin is over 4min down now and has slipped to eighth in virtual GC. Pogacar rides on at the front of the group, apparently playing at being a domestique. Maybe his own domestique? Updated at 5.13pm CEST 5.11pm CEST 17:11 8km to go: Arensman has 36sec now. He and his team will be starting to dream … Updated at 5.12pm CEST 5.10pm CEST 17:10 8.5km to go: Pogacar sits first wheel in that group of seven now. He looks in total control, barely out of breath. He stands up on the pedals and ups the pace a bit, but it's not a concerted attack. He glances back at his rivals, gauging if they are in pain, calculating if and when to launch the attack that might win him the stage. Updated at 8.53pm CEST 5.08pm CEST 17:08 9km to go: Arensman powers on alone. The pain is etched on his face. But he knows, from recent experience, what it feels like to win a Tour de France stage. And he wants some more of it. Pain is merely temporary, after all. Updated at 5.09pm CEST 5.07pm CEST 17:07 9.5km to go: It's wet on the road. There are lots of fans, although not yet the kind of crowds we've seen on other mountains. Slovenian flags are out in force. 5.06pm CEST 17:06 10km to go: A group of seven now, second on the road, half a minute behind Arensman: Pogacar, Vingegaard, Healy, Lipowitz, Gall, Onley, Johannessen. Roglic has indeed collapsed and is 4min 19sec behind the leaders. Ouch. Updated at 5.06pm CEST 5.04pm CEST 17:04 10.5km to go: Arensman, out front on his own, has 28sec. He won last Saturday so is in flying form: Updated at 5.05pm CEST 5.03pm CEST 17:03 11km to go: Gall, Onley, Lipowitz and co have rejoined 'Pogi' and Vingegaard.
North Wales Chronicle
4 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Sarina Wiegman says Euro 2025 ‘craziest' run of tournament matches in her career
The Dutchwoman's defending champions are now just one win away from their second major trophy, but will need to seek revenge on Spain – who beat them in the World Cup final two summers ago – to secure back-to-back European titles. To reach this point, the Lionesses have leaned on late heroics, a never-say-die attitude, a sprinkle of luck and the wisdom of a head coach described by her Football Association boss as priceless, one who has now led teams to an unprecedented five consecutive major-tournament finals. 'In this environment you have challenges all the time. Before the World Cup, we had challenges with players who were injured,' said Wiegman. What an achievement 🤝 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 24, 2025 'Of course, we prepare a lot and we know the players really well. We think of scenarios, 'Who is the first player to select? Who is the second?'. You're prepared for challenges. 'But in this tournament, it has been the craziest one with how the games went. That has been different.' Wiegman was forced to navigate through tumult even before the tournament started. The shock retirements of Euro 2022-winning goalkeeper Mary Earps and attacking midfielder Fran Kirby were followed by veteran defender Millie Bright – who captained England at the 2023 World Cup – withdrawing from selection to prioritise her physical and mental health. 'Of course, the challenge ahead of the tournament – whether players are available or not – the result is the same as an injured player or a player who is not available,' said Wiegman. 🏴 England's road to the #WEURO2025 final ✨ — UEFA Women's EURO 2025 (@WEURO2025) July 25, 2025 'You have to move on to what you want and who is ready to compete.' Some of those primed to do battle were expected – like Lucy Bronze, the 33-year-old now seven-time major tournament veteran Wiegman hailed as 'one of a kind', after she sparked England's stunning quarter-final comeback over Sweden with a late goal, then emphatically netted the winning penalty with the Lionesses' seventh try. But surprise standouts have also emerged in Switzerland, perhaps none so powerfully as 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang, twice England's saviour with equalisers in their quarter and semi-final comebacks. Speaking to Agyemang, who has won three of her four England caps at this tournament, or 21-year-old Chelsea forward Aggie Beever-Jones, paints a picture of Wiegman as a maternal figure, particularly for her seven major-tournament debutants. 'Yeah (I feel like a mum)', agreed Wiegman. 'You know, sometimes when people say about 'the girls' I think, are they meaning my daughters, or are they meaning my team. Work mode 🔛 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 25, 2025 'So that's tricky, I'm kind of a caring person so I need to, maybe that's the part, I care about them but at the same time I'm the coach, I'm making these hard decisions at the moment so sometimes you should leave that caring and leave it up to them. 'They're grown-up women! But at least a mum should care.' Wiegman is under contract until after the 2027 World Cup. On Thursday, FA chief Mark Bullingham said she was 'not for sale' and 'no price at all' would be tempting enough to allow her to be prised away. And while she admits some of the attention is 'awkward', Wiegman added: 'Of course I find it very special too. But I do believe that everyone plays his or her part in the success. 'What I'm trying to do is bring people together in the best possible way, players and staff and the people around me are really, really good. And if they perform at their highest level, then the chance of winning a game is the highest possible. And that's what I'm trying to do. 'I think I'm pretty good at bringing people together, but without the quality, you're not going to win a tournament.'
Leader Live
5 hours ago
- Leader Live
Sarina Wiegman says Euro 2025 ‘craziest' run of tournament matches in her career
The Dutchwoman's defending champions are now just one win away from their second major trophy, but will need to seek revenge on Spain – who beat them in the World Cup final two summers ago – to secure back-to-back European titles. To reach this point, the Lionesses have leaned on late heroics, a never-say-die attitude, a sprinkle of luck and the wisdom of a head coach described by her Football Association boss as priceless, one who has now led teams to an unprecedented five consecutive major-tournament finals. 'In this environment you have challenges all the time. Before the World Cup, we had challenges with players who were injured,' said Wiegman. What an achievement 🤝 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 24, 2025 'Of course, we prepare a lot and we know the players really well. We think of scenarios, 'Who is the first player to select? Who is the second?'. You're prepared for challenges. 'But in this tournament, it has been the craziest one with how the games went. That has been different.' Wiegman was forced to navigate through tumult even before the tournament started. The shock retirements of Euro 2022-winning goalkeeper Mary Earps and attacking midfielder Fran Kirby were followed by veteran defender Millie Bright – who captained England at the 2023 World Cup – withdrawing from selection to prioritise her physical and mental health. 'Of course, the challenge ahead of the tournament – whether players are available or not – the result is the same as an injured player or a player who is not available,' said Wiegman. 🏴 England's road to the #WEURO2025 final ✨ — UEFA Women's EURO 2025 (@WEURO2025) July 25, 2025 'You have to move on to what you want and who is ready to compete.' Some of those primed to do battle were expected – like Lucy Bronze, the 33-year-old now seven-time major tournament veteran Wiegman hailed as 'one of a kind', after she sparked England's stunning quarter-final comeback over Sweden with a late goal, then emphatically netted the winning penalty with the Lionesses' seventh try. But surprise standouts have also emerged in Switzerland, perhaps none so powerfully as 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang, twice England's saviour with equalisers in their quarter and semi-final comebacks. Speaking to Agyemang, who has won three of her four England caps at this tournament, or 21-year-old Chelsea forward Aggie Beever-Jones, paints a picture of Wiegman as a maternal figure, particularly for her seven major-tournament debutants. 'Yeah (I feel like a mum)', agreed Wiegman. 'You know, sometimes when people say about 'the girls' I think, are they meaning my daughters, or are they meaning my team. Work mode 🔛 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 25, 2025 'So that's tricky, I'm kind of a caring person so I need to, maybe that's the part, I care about them but at the same time I'm the coach, I'm making these hard decisions at the moment so sometimes you should leave that caring and leave it up to them. 'They're grown-up women! But at least a mum should care.' Wiegman is under contract until after the 2027 World Cup. On Thursday, FA chief Mark Bullingham said she was 'not for sale' and 'no price at all' would be tempting enough to allow her to be prised away. And while she admits some of the attention is 'awkward', Wiegman added: 'Of course I find it very special too. But I do believe that everyone plays his or her part in the success. 'What I'm trying to do is bring people together in the best possible way, players and staff and the people around me are really, really good. And if they perform at their highest level, then the chance of winning a game is the highest possible. And that's what I'm trying to do. 'I think I'm pretty good at bringing people together, but without the quality, you're not going to win a tournament.'
