Kasia Niewiadoma will line up on the 2023 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift aiming to defend her podium place from final yr the place she completed third behind general winner Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar) and runner-up Demi Vollering (SD Worx).
Niewiadoma says she remembers the hassle it took to safe that podium end, notably as a result of occasion’s magnitude because the first version held in 33 years, a whirlwind expertise that included energetic fanfare and difficult levels. This time round, she is prepared for all of it and plans to soak it up.
“I am actually trying ahead to occurring one other journey by means of France, which can certainly carry many good reminiscences whatever the ultimate outcomes. The race is a giant purpose of mine, and I am excited and able to be on the beginning line in Clermont-Ferrand,” Niewiadoma stated.
“I need to arrive in France and absorb no matter vitality the race, the group and the followers will give me. I do know will probably be a tough race, busy days and scorching climate!”
Canyon-SRAM will ship a assist group that features Ricarda Bauernfeind, Elise Chabbey, Soraya Paladin, Agnieszka Skalniak-Sójka, Alice Towers and Maike van der Duin, which additionally provides the group choices for stage wins and particular jerseys.
“The programs are onerous, everyone seems to be in high form, and the media consideration is large, so there can be a battle every day for the stage victory and classifications. All the pieces can occur proper till the final day,” stated Chabbey, who is without doubt one of the group’s most opportunistic riders and who commonly in key breakaways and accumulating factors towards the mountains classification.
Chabbey famous the key levels for her alongside the 956km route that features dash and puncheur levels, together with a grand finale within the Pyrenees with a mountaintop end on the long-lasting Tourmalet on stage 7 and a ultimate stage 8 time trial in Pau.
“Particularly, I am trying ahead to stage 4 as it is a lengthy and hard day with over 2,300m elevation, all within the second half. Total, we’ll maintain combating for one another to carry the most effective success to the group. We’re mentally ready for eight tremendous onerous days.
“It is the primary yr in my profession that I actually have had the time to arrange for an occasion. I spent lots of time away from dwelling at altitude, and I really feel my form is sweet. I consider we are able to attain the GC podium, and I hope there are alternatives the place I can go for a stage win. I am assured we are able to obtain a very good outcome after we race with out worry.”
This spring, Niewiadoma took the top-10s at Strade Bianche, Tour of Flanders and Amstel Gold Race, tenth general at La Vuelta Femenina, third at Itzulia Girls, and fourth at Tour de Suisse, indicating her kind is on the rise.
She has not raced since mid-June and opted to skip the Giro d’Italia Donne this yr, however revealed that she spent most of her coaching forward of the Tour de France Femmes in Andorra.
“Final yr, I ready very well along with my coach, so having that good reminiscence positively makes it simpler for us to navigate the coaching program this yr. I’ve ready once more in Andorra, coaching onerous and recovering more durable. I am solely targeted on biking and having fun with it, figuring out such an essential race is coming,” stated Niewiadoma, who anticipates one other robust version of the Tour de France Femmes with temperatures anticipated to soar into the 40-degree warmth on the roads.
“After doing the course recon, each GC contenders and riders focusing on solely stage victories, are going to go all out day by day. Day-after-day, there is a chance to affect GC, which can be thrilling for followers to observe. I am aiming to be extra invisible and fewer predictable within the peloton. I purpose to defend my podium spot on GC and win a stage. As a group, I consider we are able to obtain a GC podium and group classification like in 2022, and I would like that we are able to add a stage win to our success.”