Kasia Niewiadoma will compete in the 2023 Tour de France Femme Avec Zwift, hoping to defend her podium finish from last year, when she finished third behind overall winner Annemiek van Fruten (Movistar) and runner-up Demi Vollering (SD Works).

Niewiadoma says he remembers the effort it took to get on the podium. In particular, it was the first time in 33 years that the competition was a whirlwind, including lively fanfare and challenging stages. This time, she is prepared and intends to absorb it all.

"Whatever the final result, it will be a great memory. This race is my big goal and I am excited and ready to be on the start line in Clermont-Ferrand," Nieuwadoma said. [Arriving in France, I want to absorb the energy that the race, the team, and the fans give me. We know it will be hard racing, busy days, and hot weather."

Canyon-SRAM will send a support team that includes Ricarda Bauernfeind, Elise Chaby, Soraya Paladin, Agnieszka Skalniak Sojka, Alice Towers and Myke van der Duyn.

"The course is hard, everyone is in top condition, and there is a lot of media attention. Everything can happen until the last day," said Xavi, one of the team's most opportunistic riders, who regularly scores important breakaway and mountain points.

Xavi said that along the 956-km route, which includes a sprint stage, a pun ture stage, and a summit finish in the iconic Tourmalet on stage 7, the grand finale in the Pyrenees, and a time trial in Pau on the final stage 8, she She listed the important stages.

"Stage 4 in particular was a long, tough day at over 2,300m elevation, all in the second half. Overall, we will continue to fight with each other to bring the best success to the team. We are mentally prepared for eight super-hard days.

"This is the first year in my career that I have been able to devote time to preparing for a tournament. I've spent a lot of time away from home and at altitude and I feel good, I believe I can make the GC podium and I hope I have a shot at a stage win. I am confident that if I race without fear, I can achieve a good result."

Niewiadoma has been on a roll this spring, finishing in the top 10 at Strade Bianche, Tour de Flanders, and Amstel Gold Race, 10th overall at La Vuelta Femenina, 3rd at Ituria Women's, and 4th at the Tour de Suisse.

She has not raced since mid-June and chose to skip the Giro d'Italia Donnay this year, but revealed that she spent most of her training for the Tour de France Femme in Andorra.

"Last year I prepared very well with my coach. I prepared again in Andorra, training hard and recovering. I am focused on cycling and enjoying the fact that I have such an important race coming up," said Niewiadoma, who predicted that the Tour de France Femme would be another tough battle this year.

"After the course recon, both GC contenders and riders who are only looking for stage wins will give their all every day. Every day there is a chance to make an impact on GC. I aim to be more discrete and less predictable in the peloton, to defend my podium in GC and to win a stage. As a team, I believe we can achieve a GC podium and team classification like we did in 2022, and I hope we can add a stage win."