Demi Vollering clinched her second Tour de France Femmes title after executing a decisive attack on the concluding climbs near Nice, concluding with a lead of 1 minute and 18 seconds over Kasia Niewiadoma. The pivotal moment came as the Dutch cyclist surged ahead on the Col d’Èze, distancing herself from Niewiadoma with roughly 600 meters to go on the last ascent. Despite numerous attempts by Niewiadoma, the 2024 champion, to break free during the climbs, Vollering remained unshaken.
The victory unfolded against a backdrop of ongoing tension between Vollering and Niewiadoma over race tactics in the penultimate stage. Niewiadoma had accused Célia Gery, a member of Vollering’s team, of deliberate obstruction during a crucial segment of the race, an incident that sparked significant criticism and debate between the riders as they approached the final stage. Nonetheless, Niewiadoma conceded Vollering’s strength, acknowledging that the Dutch rider had shown impressive prowess and expressed her desire to compete on fair terms.
Vollering expressed that her triumph was a testament to her team’s deserving win, showcased by their sporting performance. By securing second place overall, Niewiadoma continued her impressive streak of podium finishes in recent editions of the Tour, underscoring her consistency in the competition.
The final stage also presented challenges for Marlen Reusser, who suffered a crash while descending the Col d’Èze. This incident caused the Swiss rider, who had started the day in third place overall, to slip to 14th in the general classification, marking a significant setback in her campaign.