KASIA NIEWIADOMA CLAIMS CLOSEST TOUR DE FRANCE (FEMMES AVEC ZWIFT) WIN EVER WITH EPIC PERFORMANCE ON ALPE D'HUEZ

A true testament for women's cycling as CANYON//SRAM Racing's Kasia Niewiadoma celebrates in yellow and Fenix-Deceuninck's Puck Pieterse claims the white jersey

Not only was the 2024 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift a fantastic showcase of the thrilling and competitive spirit of women's cycling, it was a testament to the tension, excitement, and top-tier competition that defines the Women’s WorldTour today.

With dramatic finishes, strategic battles, and exceptional athleticism on display, it highlighted the incredible skill and endurance of the riders and also the undeniable appeal of women's races. The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift is more than just a race; it's a celebration of progress, passion and potential, offering fans around the world a truly unforgettable sporting experience.

Kasia Niewiadoma secured victory in the 2024 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in a heart-stopping finale at Alpe d’Huez yesterday (Sunday 18th August 2024). The CANYON//SRAM Racing athlete clinched the overall win by just four seconds over Demi Vollering (SDW) and ten seconds ahead of Pauliena Rooijakkers (FED).

Kasia's victory was a true team triumph, underpinned by the unwavering support of her CANYON//SRAM Racing teammates, propelled by the new Canyon Aeroad.

While Kasia’s individual brilliance was on full display in the heart-stopping finale at Alpe d’Huez, it was the collective strength and dedication of her team that laid the foundation for her success. Throughout the race, her teammates Agnieszka Skalniak-Sójka, Alice Towers, Neve Bradbury, Chloé Dygert, and Soraya Paladin played pivotal roles, particularly after Elise Chabbey's unfortunate withdrawal following a crash. Their relentless efforts ensured that Kasia remained in contention, protected her lead, and under immense pressure, she fought tooth and nail to maintain the yellow jersey finishing just four seconds ahead of Vollering. This highlighted her as a prime example of a top-tier female athlete, combining skill, endurance, and sheer determination.

Kasia’s journey to this historic win has been marked by both triumphs and challenges. Over the years, she has consistently been one of the most formidable riders in the peloton, but recent seasons have been a rollercoaster. Setbacks tested her resilience, but each time, she came back stronger. Her 2024 season, leading up to the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, saw her rediscover her best form, culminating in this crowning achievement. Kasia's victory is not just a testament to her talent but also her perseverance, making her a true role model in women's cycling.

Kasia Niewiadoma: “In racing, you need good legs and to race smartly, but you also need things to go your way. I’ve had so much bad luck and near misses, and my team always brought me back up and kept believing me. I can’t believe we’ve won the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift! A huge thanks to my team, my teammates, our partners and all the fans out there. To take home this yellow jersey and the victory exceeds all expectations.”

CANYON AEROAD - THE FASTEST BIKE OF THE PELOTON

Riding Canyon’s newest Aeroad, Kasia Niewiadoma delivered an unforgettable performance in the 2024 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. With features on the bike like reinforced carbon layup and aerodynamic profiling to make the bike the fastest in the pro peloton, the Aeroad’s next-level durability proved essential across the grueling stages, ensuring it handled every challenge of the race.

The bike’s frame, reinforced to boost handling responsiveness, gave Kasia the edge she needed, especially in those critical moments. Maintaining a lightweight build without compromising aerodynamic efficiency, the Aeroad’s complete setup tipped the scales just over 7 kg, providing Kasia with the perfect balance of speed and agility throughout the race all the way up to Alpe d’Huez.

Thanks to the Aeroad’s increased 32 mm tire clearance, Kasia was equipped with a bike that could seamlessly transition from the smooth roads of early stages to the rugged terrain of the French Alps, showcasing the bike’s versatility and adaptability.

Retaining its crown as the fastest bike in the WorldTour, the Aeroad’s performance was proven once again as Kasia raced to the overall victory. Rigorous testing at the GST Wind Tunnel in South Germany confirmed the Aeroad’s supremacy, and in Kasia’s capable hands, it remained light, compliant, and unbeatable across all stages of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.

A big benefit for racers in the 4th generation Aeroad is its innovative PACE Bar. Standing for Performance Adaptive Cockpit Ecosystem, the PACE Bar unlocks an array of performance options and broader fit range through innovative cockpit modularity.

Riders can now swap out the handlebar drops in a matter of minutes and choose between Classic Drops and Aero Drops which feature a more aggressive flared form in-line with modern rider preferences. By further reducing the rider’s frontal surface, the Aero Drops can save up to 14 watts when it matters most.

PUCK PIETERSE WINS WHITE WITH FENIX-DECEUNINCK

In another success for a Canyon rider, Fenix-Deceuninck's Puck Pieterse picked up the Young Rider classification jersey for the highest placed rider in the general classification under 23 years old and, after winning stage 4, wore the polka-dot jersey for two days as leader of the Mountains classification, finishing 3rd in that category overall.

Images: Tino Pohlman / Canyon