Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney won the Tour de France Femmes’ first Mont Ventoux stage with a solo attack, taking the overall lead with two stages remaining. The Polish rider’s victory puts her in a strong position to win a second Tour title after her 2024 success.

Niewiadoma-Phinney attacked with 9km left of the Ventoux climb and finished the 146.8km seventh stage one minute 16 seconds ahead of Demi Vollering. She leads Vollering by 15 seconds overall, while previous leader Marlen Reusser is third, 39 seconds behind; Saturday’s 171.9km stage is expected to favour sprinters before Sunday’s final mountain stage in Nice.