Tour de France winner Kasia Niewiadoma detailed the apparent tension between her and defending champion Demi Vollering after the final stages of this year's race.

Niewiadoma took over the race lead when Vollering was involved in a mass crash on a 6.3km turn and moved to Amnéville in Stage 5. Vollering led Niewiadoma 34 seconds before the stage, but lost 1:47 due to the crash.

In the final stage 8 to the summit of the Alpe d'Huez, Vollering took solo part in the victory on stage, but Niebiadoma, who regained the overall victory,

Vollering was visibly distraught after the race after losing the Tour de France by the closest margin in history, and was able to win the race. Niewiadoma described the unpleasant moment he met Vollering in the dressing area to change for the podium.

"I like to break in there... Super happy and ready to celebrate. And there was a funeral atmosphere there," recalled Niewiadoma. "I saw the face, and I see Demi - no one is talking. And I'm like, "Good job, girl." Congratulations on the hard stage". And there is no response. I was like, "OK, I'm leaving." So, yeah, I changed outside.

Niewiadoma said she felt there was a bitterness directed at her because of Vollering's crash that moved her to maillot jaune. I could see the team was so happy and many friends were celebrating, but I could also feel this bitterness from Demi, SD Worx, or Demi fans," Niewiadoma said.

"It felt strange in some ways because none of us crashed her. The whole stage was very hectic and it was about arranging the day. The crash happens - No one is angry at Remco [Evenepoel] for getting 3rd place in the Tour de France because [Primoú]Rogliú crashed ・ there are always moments like this

"I think it's about how people treat it ・ I also think it's about how people treat it." I think it's all in some ways about how life and karma come back to you," she said, pausing for laughter in the crowd before explaining further. "Annemiek crashed on the final stage of the first Tour de France edition, and SD Worx was the team to ride full gas to drop her.

"No one remembers because Annemiek actually chased us and then she attacked us. I remember every race very vividly. So it feels like the Tour de France was this perfect display of how, at times, all the stars just have to align. And in addition to being strong, you must be lucky.

Niewiadoma added that he tries to avoid all kinds of conflicts and respects whether rivals win or lose. "I respect Demi, too, but there was definitely a strange atmosphere from her and it didn't crash her again," she said. So, I think it may be because we are different. I was not looking for drama. I was not looking for a mental game with her towards the end of the tour, for me, the important thing is, does my team wear yellow jerseys?"