Katarzyna Niewiadoma won in Belgian Leuven the bronze medal of the world championships in the cycling elite mass start race. Italian Elisa Balsamo won after a finish from a small group, and the second place went to Dutchwoman Marianne Vos.
“I’m very glad for my women because we never really race together and today everyone rode with such dedication. It was just amazing in my opinion. I am happy,” said Katarzyna Niewiadoma after the race.
It is the first medal in the history of Polish cycling in the elite women’s competition.
The 26-year-old has 18 professional wins to her name, including in the highest category races – the Around Britain (OVO Energy Women’s Tour), the Trofeo Alfredo Binda and the Amstel Gold Race – but her success in Leuven is certainly one of the biggest of her career. She has finished in the top 10 at the world championships several times and was fifth in Bergen in 2017, but each time she was about to stand on a podium.