Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM) may have missed out on winning the second stage of the Tour de France, but the Polish rider won today by 34 seconds over her overall class rivals.

Niewiadoma escaped from a six-man breakaway in the last 20km of the stage, following a well-timed attack by Elisa Balsamo (Trek-Segafredo).

"I think most teams were expecting a sprint stage, and maybe not as many teams reconfirmed that stage because everyone was saying, "This is another sprint stage." "Luckily, we were well prepared.

"We had done some recon a couple of days before, so we knew what to expect. Basically, we wanted to stay safe throughout this stage and didn't want to lose time. If I could improve my time, that would be great, so maybe that's why I'm so happy right now. My initial plan to reduce the times of my other competitors is now complete."

Joining Niwiadoma and Balsamo were stage winner Marianne Vos (Jumbo Visma), Silvia Persico (Valcar Travel & Service), Elisa Longo Borghini, and white jersey Myke van der Duyn (Le Cor Wharf). The group quickly gained a 40-second advantage and managed to maintain their lead.

"The group was moving because everyone was interested in something," explained Niewiadoma. 'We were going for the GC, and of course Marianne, and I thought Balsamo was going for the stage win, but they were going for the GC time.' [It was] basically just the four of us riding hard, so it was amazing that we were able to make that much time. So I was very happy that they didn't catch up to us."

The big climbing days are still to come, but Nienyadoma has his eyes on the next stage.

"It's definitely motivating," she said. I'm not a pure climber who can beat Anne-Mike [van Vleuten] by two minutes on the final stage, so I want to take my chances in the coming stages. If I can put up times every day, I believe that at the end of the Tour everything will be possible."

Niewiadoma was also lucky to avoid a crash-ridden stage in northeastern France.

"I was really happy to be in a safe and secure position, watched over by my teammates. 'Everyone respects your train, no one gets in your way, no one tries to get in your way. It helps a lot to have someone there to support you and keep you at peace."