Heartbroken Katarzyna Niewiadoma breaks down in tears after narrowly missing podium at Strade Bianche Donne 2024

For the ninth time in ten years, Katarzyna Niewiadoma has secured a top-10 finish at Strade Bianche Donne. Sadly for the Canyon//SRAM Racing star however, her wait for victory goes on.

Entering this year's edition of the race as the Gravel World Champion, Niewiadoma, a three-time runner-up at Strade Bianche Donne in the past will have felt reasonably confident of finally managing to add the victory to her palmares.

Despite a heroic effort though, Niewiadoma was eventually forced to settle for fourth place on the day after narrowly being outsprinted in the battle for the final step on the podium by Team SD Worx-Protime's Demi Vollering after Lotte Kopecky had taken the win ahead of Elisa Longo Borghini.

After crossing the line, the emotions of yet another near-miss overcame Niewiadoma and the 29-year-old Pole heartbreakingly broke down in tears. Nevertheless, another immense performance that she should be incredibly proud of.