Katarzyna Niewiadoma: "It was extremely hard, I simply gave everything"

Katarzyna Niewiadoma finished in the fifth position in the seventh stage of the Tour de France Femmes. She finished 5 minutes and 16 seconds behind stage winner Annemiek Van Vlueten.

"It was extremely hard," Niewiadoma told Eurosport. She continues, "There was no time to recover. From the start, the tempo was very high, with many attacks. On the first climb, it was immediately crazy."

She soon joined Juliette Labous and Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig in the final kilometers. Elisa Longo Borghini also joined for a few kilometers but soon dropped from the group. “I knew I had to ride smart on the Petit Ballon because it would be impossible to ride that descent and that valley on your own after the second climb. We also saw that with Elisa Longo Borghini," said Niewiadoma.

Her group continued till the finish line, where she came in 5th position ." I was happy to be in a group. On the last climb I simply gave everything. I knew a podium place was possible for me, so I went full out for that," said Niewiadoma.

She was also happy to finally see Van Vleuten back in her best form . “The whole Tour Van Vleuten didn't ride great yet. Of course, she is a smart rider who can distribute her energy very well but to go so early, so fast is very surprising," concluded Niewiadoma. She holds 3rd position in GC, 4 minutes and 33 seconds behind overall leader Annemiek Van Vlueten.