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Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney faces disappointment after a mechanical mishap hinders her chances at the Flèche Wallonne Femmes. Here’s why this incident could reshape her approach for the rest of the season.
After an impressive second-place finish at the Amstel Gold Race, Niewiadoma-Phinney started the Flèche Wallonne as a strong contender. Climbing the iconic Mur de Huy, she found herself stuck in the big gear, unable to shift down as Demi Vollering surged ahead for the win. This mechanical issue forced her to power through, allowing Puck Pieterse and Paula Blasi to overtake her for podium spots. Niewiadoma-Phinney expressed her frustration, stating, “I was really bummed with the last climb... that was not ideal, and we didn’t come here for fourth, but c’est la vie.”
Despite the setback, she praised her team's performance, showing optimism for the upcoming Liège-Bastogne-Liège. With a stronger collective effort, she believes they can achieve even better results. Meanwhile, Anna van der Breggen, a former champion, secured fifth place, demonstrating her enduring strength and highlighting the rising competitive level in women's cycling. As the season progresses, Niewiadoma-Phinney's resilience will be crucial in overcoming today's challenges.
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