CANYON RELEASE 'QUEEN KASIA' DOCUMENTARY CHRONICLING KASIA NIEWIADOMA'S HISTORIC 2024 TOUR DE FRANCE FEMMES VICTORY 

Canyon unveils a compelling new documentary, Queen Kasia, which invites viewers to relive the pivotal moments and true grit behind Kasia Niewiadoma’s monumental 2024 Tour de France Femmes victory, as well as shining a light on who she really is away from racing.

EMBARGOED UNTIL SATURDAY 16TH NOVEMBER, 14:00 CET: The 2024 Tour de France Femmes was an event for the history books, concluding with the closest winning margin in the race's history—just four heart-stopping seconds after 8 stages and 950 kilometers of racing. Niewiadoma's narrow victory over rival Demi Vollering came after a relentless battle, with Vollering closing in daily but unable to overcome Niewiadoma’s calculated racecraft and gutsy fight to hang onto yellow.

For Niewiadoma, the win demonstrated her sheer willpower in the face of relentless pressure. On the final climb, as the clock ticked and the margin tightened, Niewiadoma blocked out everything but the road ahead, summoning every ounce of strength and mental endurance to secure her place at the top. The victory instantly transformed her career and confidence, marking her as not just a competitor but a champion who had conquered both the race and the psychological weight it demanded.

This documentary, produced by Canyon, goes beyond race footage to explore the intricate dynamics of Niewiadoma’s character and the formidable support system surrounding her. Through interviews with CANYON//SRAM Team Manager Ronny Lauke, Team Liaison Erik Zabel, her husband and fellow cyclist Taylor Phinney, commentator Rob Hatch and journalist Rachel Jary, viewers gain insights into the determination, resilience, and personality traits that propelled Niewiadoma to the yellow jersey.

Reflecting on the film, film maker and co-director Samantha Dugon:
"This edition of the Tour de France Femmes will go down in history but there's so much more to Kasia's story than that. I wanted to convey a message about Kasia's racing style, her personality and the clear admiration her friends, fans and family have for her. She's a true icon of the sport and will serve as an inspiration to cycling fans for generations. She's more than earned the title of Queen Kasia."

Fellow co-director Harry Dowdney:
"With her amazing personality and attacking style of racing, Kasia has true crossover appeal. It was amazing to capture this moment in her career and I hope the film serves to inspire others to watch more women's pro cycling – the dynamics of women’s racing never fail to make for deeply compelling viewing."

Quotes from Kasia Niewiadoma:

Kasia on her attitude towards cycling and racing:
“I grew up riding a bike in a way where we would push our bikes up a hill just so we could descend. I was lucky to have this tool by my side, and I would use it to have fun with my friends and cousins, not to work out or go on a training ride. Cycling or riding a bike was about having fun and feeling free, that’s what I associate it with when I race.”

Kasia on the development of women’s cycling and her ongoing motivation:
“Women’s cycling is growing and developing ever since I did my first bike race, so seeing change and how the sport moves forward, having new races on the World Tour calendar, and having new riders that I can compete against gives me motivation to work harder. We also have more access to knowledge that wasn’t there before, research we didn’t have before. It allows you to find the motivation. Because things are changing, if you can keep up with them, then it can be a motivation to work harder to stay at the top.”

Kasia on claiming victory on the final stage:
“Coming to Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift I knew what I wanted. Together with the team and my coach we worked really hard on those goals. In the past maybe I would’ve been timid to say my goals out loud because I was afraid if I didn’t execute people would be angry. This year I was working on not being afraid of stating what I want, and not letting the goals overcome my confidence. I knew I’d worked hard and was in good shape and I knew I had the potential to claim it from the start.

“The day I took the yellow jersey [after stage 5] I tried to stay neutral. I didn’t allow myself to feel any ecstasy or excitement. I wanted to stay calm because yellow jersey is a big thing. In the past I would crack under pressure that was created by myself but this time I wanted to stay neutral to what I was doing. Take it day by day and race aggressively.

“When I saw the yellow Canyon bike [before stage 6] I was pretty stoked. I was like ‘wow they really went for it!’ For the most part GC riders have yellow or pink on the last stage. Seeing the full yellow bike showed me how much faith the team had in me.

“Before the last stage started, I felt calm. I knew I had made a great preparation. All I had to do, especially for the last stage, was go all out. When you finish on a climb it’s all about your legs. I knew if I had legs or not, c’est la vie.

“I expected Demi to attack in that exact place. When I saw her going, I had a moment of weakness. I definitely had a crisis in that particular moment.  Luckily I was able to get my legs back.

“In the final hour of racing, I remember starting Alpe d’Huez and it was a crazy suffering, because it was all about going to your limits. I started hard at the bottom of the climb, and I had this realisation that it was still one hour to go. It was the most I’ve ever suffered, the climb where I pushed myself to limits more than any before. I had no other option.

“I just remember the first part of the climb because after that it was all one big suffering festival. There’s not much I can recall, even my husband and friends running alongside me, I was unable to recognise them, I was so out of this world.

“Crossing the finish line I had no idea what was happening. All I wanted was to stop riding and catch my breath. That’s all. Then Beth [Duryea, of CANYON//SRAM Racing] whispered I think we have it and the team started to scream in my earpiece. I was so happy that it was finished. It’s been such a long journey to arrive at this place. 

“I’m extremely proud we managed to finish it off and I’m so looking forward to the next edition. The emotions we felt were so special that I want it all again.”

The film will premiere at the Rouleur Bike Show at the Truman Brewery in London on Saturday 16^th November. Fans can watch the video on the Canyon Youtube page, from 14:00h (CET) on Saturday 16th November 2024.

1. The link is live for a media preview only, please kindly don't share the video before 14:00 CET Saturday 16th November.