FDJ United-Suez defended Célia Gery after the Tour Femmes clash that angered Kasia Niewiadoma during stage 8.
Sports director Lars Boom said Gery followed team instructions in the finale, but rejected claims she deliberately pushed Niewiadoma toward the barriers. The incident came at the foot of the decisive final climb, shortly before Demi Vollering attacked.
Vollering’s move came with 6.5 kilometres remaining on the steep ascent. She finished 17 seconds ahead of Niewiadoma and Elisa Longo Borghini. That result turned a 15-second deficit into an eight-second overall lead for Vollering.
Niewiadoma said after the finish that Gery closed her toward the barriers. The Canyon//SRAM rider said the move forced her to stop pedalling. She also confronted Gery directly and asked whether it had been “part of the plan.”
FDJ explains Gery role in Tour Femmes clash
Boom confirmed that FDJ United-Suez had given Gery a specific tactical task. He said she needed to hold Vollering’s wheel until after an important corner.
Once Vollering accelerated, Gery had to allow the gap to open calmly, according to Boom. He described the idea as a strong tactical choice and said he believed Gery carried it out.
However, Boom denied any plan to obstruct Niewiadoma. He said Gery insisted she had done nothing wrong, while adding that the team needed to review the moment properly.
Boom also defended Gery’s character after the accusation. He said it was not in her nature to ride somebody into the barriers and added that she “would never do that.”
Niewiadoma delivered a sharp reaction after losing the race lead. She accused Gery of deliberate blocking and said she had lost respect for FDJ United-Suez because of the incident.
Boom avoided escalating the dispute immediately after the finish. When told about Niewiadoma’s remarks, he said it was too early to respond in detail.
Vollering says she did not see the incident
Vollering addressed the controversy in the post-stage press conference. She said she had not seen what happened behind her during the climb.
The Dutch rider said she was focused only on what lay ahead. She added that racing can produce difficult and messy situations.
Vollering also said she felt sure Gery had not acted on purpose. She suggested Niewiadoma likely understood that such moments can happen in racing.
The general classification shift now changes FDJ United-Suez’s approach before stage 9. Boom said the team would discuss its plan rather than immediately switch to pure defence.
He noted that FDJ had started the day with 15 seconds to recover. After Vollering’s stage 8 attack, the team now holds an eight-second advantage.
Stage 9 takes place around Nice and includes four ascents of the Col d’Èze. The route promises a demanding final day with repeated climbing and little respite.
Those climbs should give Niewiadoma chances to pressure Vollering. Only eight seconds separate the pair at the start of the final stage.
The race now sets up another narrow finale between the same two riders. In 2024, Niewiadoma defeated Vollering for overall victory at the Tour de France Femmes by four seconds.
This time, Vollering begins the final day in front. Boom acknowledged that eight seconds leaves little margin and said FDJ would build a plan overnight.
Related Cycle Nation stories
- Tour de France Femmes lead flips as Vollering attacks into Nice
- Mont Ventoux set to reshape Tour de France Femmes GC fight
- Ferrand-Prévot says Tour de France Femmes level has surged after GC setback
- Le Court wins Tour Femmes stage 6 after late bridge to breakaway
- Kim Le Court-Pienaar wins stage six after late mechanical scare