The Great Unknown
The first podium finish at the Tour de France Femmes is Katarzyna Niewiadoma's , and perhaps Polish cycling's, greatest success in recent years. It's worth taking a look at her entire career:
Katarzyna Niewiadoma is one of Poland's most talented and decorated road cyclists. Born in 1994, she has been impressing for years with her performances at the world's most important cycling events. Niewiadoma began her professional career in 2013, joining the Rabobank-Liv team. Even in her early years, she demonstrated enormous potential, winning medals at the European Championships in the under-23 category.
See also: Yoga and cycling
Kasia Niewiadoma's most important successes:
1. Tour de France Women:
In 2022, Katarzyna took a high 5th place in the general classification of the first edition of the women's Tour de France.
2. Giro d'Italia Donne:
Niewiadoma has stood on the podium of this prestigious race three times - 2nd place in 2020 and 3rd place in 2017 and 2019.
3. La Course by Le Tour de France:
In 2020, the Polish woman achieved a spectacular victory in this one-day race organized by ASO.
4. Amstel Gold Race:
Triumph in 2019 in one of the most prestigious classics.
5. OVO Energy Women's Tour:
Overall victory in the British stage race in 2017.
6th World Championship:
Bronze medal in the elite mass start race in 2020 in Imola.
Tour de France Femmes and Katarzyna Niewiadoma:
1. Tour de France Femmes debut:
In 2022, Niewiadoma competed in the first edition of the Tour de France Femmes with Zwift. This was a breakthrough moment for both her and women's cycling. She finished a respectable 5th overall, confirming her position among the world's elite.
2. Mountain stages:
Her performance on the challenging mountain stages was particularly impressive. Niewiadoma finished 4th on the stage ending on the Planche des Belles Filles, showcasing her climbing skills.
3. Consistency in the Tour de France Femmes:
In the next edition in 2023, Katarzyna again put in a strong performance, finishing 8th overall. Her consistent performances among the frontrunners solidify her status as one of the favorites for this prestigious race.
4. Preparations for the Tour de France:
Niewiadoma sees the Tour de France Femmes as one of her main goals for the season. Consequently, her preparations include competing in races like the Giro d'Italia Donne and the Vuelta a Burgos. These races serve as a fitness test before the French race.
5. Tour de France ambitions:
In interviews, Katarzyna has repeatedly emphasized that her dream is to win a stage and place on the podium in the overall standings of the Tour de France Femmes. These goals drive her to continuous improvement and hard work.
Preparations for the Tour de France Femmes:
1. High mountain camps:
Niewiadoma regularly attends high-altitude camps, often choosing Livigno in Italy as her training base before the Tour de France. While not everyone has such opportunities, that doesn't mean amateurs shouldn't prepare before the season. We've already written about pre-season cycling training for amateurs on our blog .
2. Route reconnaissance:
Before each edition of the Tour de France Femmes, Katarzyna and the Canyon//SRAM Racing team conduct a thorough reconnaissance of key stages, which helps develop a strategy for the race.
3. Cooperation with a dietitian and mental trainer:
To be in optimal shape for the Tour de France, Niewiadoma works closely with a dietitian and a mental coach. This allows her to maintain peak fitness throughout the demanding race. We, on the other hand, are fans of yoga, which can improve cycling performance and speed up recovery.
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Katarzyna Niewiadoma's riding style:
Katarzyna Niewiadoma is known for her aggressive riding style. She excels on both the hilly routes of one-day classics and stage races. Her strengths lie in uphill riding and the ability to finish from small groups.
Currently, Niewiadoma represents the Canyon//SRAM Racing team, with whom she has achieved further success. The Polish athlete continues to develop as a cyclist, confirming her position among the world's elite year after year.
Summary:
Katarzyna Niewiadoma is a key figure in Polish cycling, whose name is inextricably linked to the Tour de France Femmes. Her performances in this prestigious race not only bring glory to Polish sport, but also contribute to the development and popularization of women's cycling worldwide. With each subsequent Tour de France Femmes race, Niewiadoma strengthens her position as one of the leading riders in the peloton, providing hope for further success in future editions.
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