Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney produced a thrilling solo ride to the summit of Mont Ventoux to claim her first Tour de France Femmes stage win and the overall race lead.

The iconic climb of Mont Ventoux was included in the Tour de France Femmes for the first time for this year’s ‘queen stage’.

Niewiadoma-Phinney began the 146.8km ride from La Voulte-sur-Rhone third in the general classification, one minute and 17 seconds behind race leader Marlen Reusser, with Demi Vollering second.

And the Polish Canyon-SRAM rider, who won the Tour in 2024, launched an attack with 9km of the Mont Ventoux climb remaining.

As the 31-year-old pulled clear of her rivals on stage seven, it became a battle for the leader’s yellow jersey.

She ultimately reached the summit finish one minute and 16 seconds before Dutch rider Vollering, with Reusser 30 seconds further back and defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot more than 10 minutes down.

Niewiadoma-Phinney now holds a 15-second lead over Vollering with two stages remaining while Swiss rider Reusser is 39 seconds adrift in third.

“I’m blown away with what just happened,” said Niewiadoma-Phinney.

“This victory goes to so many people that were with me along this very long road without proper big wins.

“It was so funny, as we started to climb Mont Ventoux I looked to my right and saw my parents. They made a surprise visit and I could see my dad crying. I was like ‘I just need to make them proud’.”

Saturday’s penultimate stage is the longest of this year’s race, with the mostly flat 171.9km ride from Sisteron to Nice set to suit the sprinters.

That will leave the general classification rivals to battle it out for the title on a 99.2km mountain stage beginning and ending in Nice on Sunday.