What’s going on with Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney?

Some big-time cycling drama is going on.

Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto) is reportedly close to joining Lidl-Trek after negotiations reached an advanced stage, according to Daniel Benson. Monsieur Benson always seems to have the latest intel, and the venerable cycling journalist is usually on the money.

The Polish champ has long been linked with the team, and recent reports suggest the deal is effectively agreed in principle, with only a signature remaining. She was supposed to be racing the Giro d’Italia women this weekend, but she kinda suddenly scratched. BTW there are eight Canadian women racing, meanwhile.

Lidl-Trek?

Benson reports that Lidl-Trek has been pursuing Niewiadoma for months and views her as a key target to strengthen its leadership group for major stage races. A three-year contract is said to be prepared, with verbal terms already settled between both parties.

If completed, the move would see Niewiadoma take on a leading role at Lidl-Trek over the coming seasons as the team continues to build depth for Grand Tours and one-week stage races. While the transfer is not yet official, multiple reports indicate it is close to being finalised. Final confirmation is expected once paperwork is formally signed by both sides respectively.

There’s also lotsa weird stuff going on with, can we say KNP for now? Lotsa letters. Apart from the fact that her long-retired, now un-retired husband is back in the mix–with a NYT article, no less. The TOur de France Femmes champ’s team Canyon–SRAM zondacrypto is caught up with some problems.

Certainly not the Canyon or Sram part, but the zondacrypto. There is whole lotta drama there. Hopefully the team, which has all sorts of talented riders, will figure it out.

But Niewiadoma Phinney has abruptly withdrawn from the upcoming Giro d’Italia women, so something is clearly going on.