Poland’s Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney is gearing up for the World Championships road race in Kigali, having recently completed the elite women’s time trial. Although she finished 14th in the time trial, Niewiadoma-Phinney used the experience to familiarize herself with the course’s demanding climbs, an essential part of the road race scheduled for Saturday, October 14, 2023. The route has drawn comparisons to the Amstel Gold Race, a prestigious Classic that Niewiadoma-Phinney has previously won.
While time trials are not her specialty, Niewiadoma-Phinney aims to improve in this discipline. She acknowledged that her primary goal during the time trial was to assess her physical response to the high altitude and unique conditions in Kigali. “That was definitely one of the goals, to do the time trial to understand my body on this altitude and with those conditions,” she stated.
Her experience during the time trial was a mixed bag. Niewiadoma-Phinney recognized that she began too aggressively, leading to difficulties in recovery. “I just felt like I crossed that red zone,” she explained, noting that even downhill sections did not allow her to recuperate. Despite the challenges, she expressed satisfaction with her performance, emphasizing her commitment to developing her time trial skills for the future.
Having explored the road race route, Niewiadoma-Phinney expressed optimism about the course but remained cautious about the unpredictable nature of race day. “The course definitely suits me, but as I experienced today, these conditions are very special,” she added. The altitude and heat present unique challenges for all competitors, making race dynamics complex.
Niewiadoma-Phinney will compete as part of a small Polish team of only three riders, a limitation compared to larger teams from other nations. This smaller squad may present challenges, particularly in the early stages of the race where positioning can be crucial. “Definitely, a team always helps,” she remarked, acknowledging the importance of collaboration with teammates. She expressed hope to align herself with stronger teams, such as those from Italy and the Netherlands, to leverage their strengths.
Training in Kigali has its difficulties, especially navigating traffic in a bustling urban environment. Niewiadoma-Phinney noted that her initial days were spent acclimatizing to the city. “The first days, just because I wanted to see the course, I had to stay in Kigali, and it’s of course full of traffic,” she said. Moving forward, she plans to venture into more rural areas for endurance training, aiming to escape the congestion of the city.
Her experience in Rwanda has not been without its highlights. As she began the time trial, the atmosphere was electric, with crowds cheering her name. “Starting off in the stadium was amazing, and then on the course, a lot of people were screaming my name,” she shared. The support from the local audience, whether Rwandan or Polish, added an exciting element to her experience.
As the competition approaches, Niewiadoma-Phinney is focused on adapting to the conditions and maximizing her performance. With the energy of the crowds and the unique challenges of the altitude, she is ready to tackle the road race and compete for victory.
For fans and cycling enthusiasts, the anticipation builds as the first-ever UCI Road World Championships take place on African soil, promising exhilarating competition and inspiring stories from the riders.
