Demi Vollering clinched her second Tour de France Femmes title with a commanding performance on the final climbs near Nice, distancing herself from Kasia Niewiadoma by 1 minute and 18 seconds. The crucial moment unfolded on the Col d’Èze, where the Dutch cyclist launched a pivotal attack in the last 600 meters of the ascent, leaving Niewiadoma unable to respond despite her efforts throughout the climbs. Niewiadoma, who claimed the championship in 2024, had repeatedly tried to shake off Vollering during the stage, but the Dutch rider’s strength proved too much.
The victory for Vollering was set against the backdrop of a heated dispute over tactics during Saturday’s stage. Niewiadoma accused Célia Gery, a member of Vollering’s team, of blocking her path during a key segment of the race. This incident sparked criticism and debate between the riders, adding tension leading into the final leg of the competition. However, despite the controversy, Niewiadoma acknowledged Vollering’s formidable performance, expressing her desire to compete on fair terms.
Vollering, in turn, expressed that her triumph was a testament to her team’s rightful claim to victory based on their sporting achievements. Niewiadoma, finishing second overall, maintained her impressive streak of podium finishes in recent editions of the Tour. This consistency further cements her status as a top competitor in women’s cycling, despite not being able to defend her title this year.
The concluding stage was also marked by a setback for Marlen Reusser, who suffered a crash while descending the Col d’Èze. Starting the day in third place overall, the Swiss cyclist’s mishap saw her drop to 14th in the general classification, a disappointing turn given her strong position going into the finale. Her fall added another layer to the drama of the race’s closing moments.