Kasia Niewiadoma Signs with Lidl-Trek in Move That Will Reshape the Women’s Peloton

Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney will ride for Lidl-Trek from 2027.

The 32-year-old superstar and her incoming team confirmed a two-year deal Tuesday in a bombshell announcement that will tilt the landscape of the women’s peloton.

Niewiadoma-Phinney, a former winner of the Tour de France Femmes, has consistently proven she’s the best of the rest behind Demi Vollering.

The Polish attacker finished second behind Vollering this year at both the Tour de France Femmes and the recent road world championships. Their rich, long-running rivalry is one of the defining narratives of the modern sport.

After spending close to a decade at Canyon-SRAM, Niewiadoma-Phinney will bring Lidl-Trek a new talisman for the next two years.

Her GC and classics prowess will complement the squad’s current leaders Niamh Fisher-Black, Elisa Balsamo, and the prodigious Holmgren twins.

Beyond that, her arrival will boost the ambitious, cash-rich Lidl-Trek team into a bubbling “super team” battle that’s brewing at the top of the Women’s WorldTour. Vollering’s FDJ-Suez team and its challengers SD Worx-Protime and UAE ADQ have split into a separate echelon in recent years.

With Spanish super-talent Paula Blasi reportedly also leaving UAE for Movistar, the women’s peloton will race to a different beat next year.

Niewiadoma-Phinney starts new chapter away from Canyon-SRAM

Niewiadoma-Phinney acknowledged Tuesday she’s making a bold mid-career move in stepping away from Canyon-SRAM after nine years on its books.

“I am super excited about the next two years,” she said Tuesday.

“I have spent many years on the same team. The decision to move forward and change the environment wasn’t easy until I talked to Lidl-Trek. Instantly, I felt the team had a plan, trust and belief in me. I knew that when we joined forces we could aim for the highest dreams.

“I’m looking forward to working with people and professionals who have a fresh look at my abilities and at what we can achieve together, being guided from a different perspective and just new fresh air,” Niewiadoma-Phinney continued.

“I’m looking forward to learning from the team, what we can improve, how we can get faster and how we can raise our hands more often when crossing the finish line.”

Lidl-Trek loads up the shopping trolley with contract spending spree

No details were provided regarding Niewiadoma’s deal, but her palmarès will presumably push her pay toward the top end of the women’s peloton.

Vollering is thought to boast a seven-figure salary from FDJ-Suez that currently makes her the best-paid rider in the women’s peloton.

Lidl-Trek women’s team has also confirmed the signing of Arlenis Sierra, Ally Wollaston, and Julia Kopecký for 2027.

It’s a significant roster refresh, but one that’s dwarfed by what’s going on at the partnering men’s team.

Lidl-Trek men’s team has been on a huge WorldTour spending spree in recent months. Felix Gall, Jordan Jegat, and Jordi Meeus are the headliners of the seven names they’ve confirmed for the new season so far.