With a 9th place in the first stage of La Course, Kasia Niewiadoma ensured her participation in the pursuit-style time trial on Saturday. Our Polish rider crossed the finish line 2 minutes and 52 seconds from the stage winner Annemiek van Vleuten at the top of the Col d’Izoard.
Kasia appeared strong in the renewed format of La Course, an event organised by ASO who is also responsible for the Tour de France. She was able to hang on until deep in the final of the nearly 70-kilometre-long race. When van Vleuten attacked in the last kilometres, she was unfortunately dropped.
On Saturday, the best 19 riders from the stage in the French Alps start the pursuit in Marseille. Van Vleuten will start as first, followed by the remaining 18 riders with their time difference from the tough mountain stage.
“Kasia might have done better, considering her talents. In any case, it’s nice that she can participate on Saturday”, says DS Jeroen Blijlevens who enjoyed the atmosphere on the Col d’Izoard. “It is a positive development by ASO to have set up this experiment. The women can participate 2 days in the Tour and have 2 days of exposure which is important for our sport.”
Move to the Alps
La Course had already been organised 3 times. In 2014, Marianne Vos excelled during the opening race; she was 3rd last year. The first 3 editions were raced in the centre of Paris, prior to the arrival of the Tour peloton. This year, the WorldTour-event had been moved to the Alps.
