Demi Vollering claimed her second Tour de France Femmes title following a decisive performance on the final climbs near Nice, finishing 1 minute and 18 seconds ahead of her closest competitor, Kasia Niewiadoma. The pivotal moment came as the Dutch cyclist launched a powerful attack on the Col d’Èze, managing to distance herself from Niewiadoma with just 600 metres left on the climb. Despite Niewiadoma’s repeated attempts to take the lead during the ascents, she was unable to outpace Vollering.
The victory for Vollering unfolded amid a brewing controversy concerning race tactics from the previous day’s stage. Niewiadoma had alleged that Célia Gery, a member of Vollering’s team, obstructed her during a crucial point in the race, leading to ongoing discussions and criticisms between the riders. Nevertheless, Niewiadoma acknowledged Vollering’s superior performance, noting the Dutch rider’s exceptional strength and expressing her desire to compete fairly.
Vollering expressed that her triumph was a testament to her team’s merit in winning the race based on sheer athletic performance. Niewiadoma, despite the setback, secured second place overall, maintaining her impressive streak of podium finishes in recent editions of the Tour de France Femmes.
The concluding stage presented additional challenges for Marlen Reusser, who suffered a crash while descending the Col d’Èze. The Swiss competitor, who began the day in third place overall, saw her standing plummet to 14th in the general classification following the mishap.