Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney produced a stunning solo ride to the summit of Mont Ventoux to win stage seven of the Tour de France Femmes and seize the yellow jersey. The 31-year-old Pole attacked 9km from the top of the legendary climb and rode clear of every rival, crossing the finish line 1 minute and 16 seconds ahead of Demi Vollering.
The stage was the first in the women's race to finish on the Ventoux, the iconic ascent included for the first time as this year's queen stage. Niewiadoma-Phinney covered the 146.8km from La Voulte-sur-Rhône to the mountain-top finish with perfect timing. She had started the day third in the general classification, 1 minute and 17 seconds behind race leader Marlen Reusser, with Vollering second overall.
When the road pitched upwards, the Canyon-SRAM rider forced the decisive split. As she pulled clear on stage seven, the fight for the leader's jersey became a battle for the gaps behind her. Reusser took third place on the stage, 30 seconds further back, while defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot lost more than ten minutes on the climb and slipped out of contention.
