'It gives me extra motivation to work harder' - Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney turns attention to La Vuelta Femenina after podium performance at Liège-Bastogne-Liège

Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney concluded her Spring Classics campaign with a strong performance at Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes, securing a podium finish behind winner Demi Vollering and runner-up Puck Pieterse. Despite being unable to match Vollering’s decisive solo attack on the Côte de la Redoute, the Polish Champion was pleased with her result, highlighting the cohesive effort of her Lidl-Trek team throughout the race. Niewiadoma-Phinney sprinted to third place from a small chase group, demonstrating resilience and tactical awareness in the closing stages. Throughout the Spring Classics, Niewiadoma-Phinney had been a consistent contender, finishing second in several major races including Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Strade Bianche, and Amstel Gold Race, as well as fourth at Flèche Wallonne. Her inability to follow Vollering’s powerful move left her with mixed emotions, but she expressed that the experience fuels her motivation to improve and close the gap on the world-class rider in future races. The Polish Champion acknowledged the physical demands of the chase and praised her teammates’ commitment to the pursuit. The final phase of the race saw a dynamic shift in the composition of the chase group, with Anna van der Breggen bridging across to join Niewiadoma-Phinney and Pieterse. Niewiadoma-Phinney admitted she felt less confident with Van der Breggen in the mix, given the Dutch rider’s sprinting prowess. Ultimately, Niewiadoma-Phinney outpaced Van der Breggen in the sprint to secure third place, a result she welcomed after having narrowly missed out on the podium in previous editions of the race. Looking ahead, Niewiadoma-Phinney is turning her focus to the stage racing season, particularly La Vuelta Femenina in May. Her strong showing in the Spring Classics and her determination to build on these performances suggest she will be a rider to watch in the coming months. The podium finish at Liège-Bastogne-Liège serves as both a reward for her efforts and a stepping stone towards further success in the elite women’s racing calendar.