Updated August 9, 2026 08:31AM
Niewiadoma and Vollering Turn Down the Volume on Controversy Before Femmes Final Blowout
Nieiwiadoma and Vollering speak out ahead of decisive stage in Nice after media firestorm rages with debate over 'Kasia Corner.'
(Photo: Tim de Waele/Getty Images)
Kasia Niewiadoma and Demi Vollering are trying to turn down the volume ahead of Sunday’s finale at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, but neither one is ceding ground.
A media firestorm blew up after the finish-line drama when Niewiadoma accused Vollering teammate Célia Gery of interfering with her line in the decisive moments of Saturday’s stage.
At the start line Sunday in Nice, Niewiadoma didn’t apologize or back down from her comments.
“It’s not about creating drama. I know that certain things maybe feed the media and they make it bigger than it is,” Niewiadoma told the media, including Velo‘s Andy McGrath.
“I think the biggest thing I’ll take from it is that Demi was extremely strong. She’s an extremely strong competitor for me, and to fight against her is also a pleasure because we make each other stronger.
“I’m not taking anything away from her. We just fight with her fair and square.”
The Canyon-SRAM star — who starts 8 seconds back of Vollering — said she’s racing to win, not for revenge.
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“Oh no, no, no. Honestly, people who know me know that I’m not revengeful, and they know that I wouldn’t want to have beef with anyone,” she said.
“If I act in certain ways, it’s because I have reasons for it.”
Vollering backs Gery amid social media storm
Vollering also tried to turn down the tension, but backed her FDJ United-Suez teammate Gery from any social media backlash.
“It’s just cycling. Célia’s never done anything on purpose. It was a very tricky corner and there was only one line, and Kasia chose to come into the corner next to Célia,” Vollering said.
“I feel sad about what is happening in the moment. She is still so young, and we have to protect her,” Vollering said.
“It’s a nasty world out there in social media and you can really tear a person down like that. It should never be like this.”
The wild 2026 edition of the Tour de France Femmes concludes with four passages over Col d’Eze before a harrowing descent and finish-line sprint on the beachfront in Nice.