'None of us wants beef': Demi Vollering and Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney clear the air after heated Tour de France Femmes clash

The conflict between Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney and Demi Vollering during the Tour de France Femmes seems to have been resolved after a heated finish to Stage 8. Following a tense encounter in the opening kilometers of Stage 9, both riders appeared to have talked through their issues with one another. Vollering, wearing the yellow jersey, confirmed that she had approached Niewiadoma-Phinney to settle their disagreement from the previous day.

The two rivals, who have competed together for several years, emphasized that they never intended to harbor any animosity towards each other. Vollering explained that FDJ had never intended to block Niewiadoma-Phinney, and that the French rider's line was determined by the road conditions, including a pothole and a narrow corner.

Niewiadoma-Phinney acknowledged that Célia Gery, the rider involved in the incident, was unaware she had done anything wrong at the time. The controversy escalated on social media, with FDJ-Suez director Lars Boom reporting that Gery received death threats as a result. Vollering expressed disappointment at the public criticism of Gery, stating that riders should always be mindful of their words and avoid attacking individuals during high-stakes races.

Despite the controversy, Vollering and Niewiadoma-Phinney finished together on the podium in all five editions of the Tour de France Femmes since its 2022 revival. The two have also each won the race, and despite the tension from Stage 8, their competitive relationship appears to have remained intact.