Demi Vollering captured her second Tour de France Femmes title with a powerful attack on the final climbs near Nice, completing the race 1 minute and 18 seconds ahead of Kasia Niewiadoma. The Dutch cyclist made her decisive move on the Col d’Èze, breaking free from Niewiadoma with about 600 meters left on the ascent. Despite Niewiadoma’s aggressive efforts during the climbs, the 2024 champion couldn’t outpace Vollering.
The competition between Vollering and Niewiadoma was intensified by a dispute over race tactics during the Saturday stage. Niewiadoma accused Célia Gery, a member of Vollering’s team, of interfering with her during a critical section. This claim led to ongoing discussions and criticism between the two riders before the final stage. However, Niewiadoma ultimately acknowledged Vollering’s strength and expressed her desire for fair competition.
Vollering expressed that her triumph should reflect her team’s rightful claim to victory based on their performance throughout the race. Niewiadoma’s second-place finish extends her impressive streak of podium placements in recent Tour editions, underscoring her status as a formidable competitor.
The final stage was challenging not only for the leaders but also for Marlen Reusser, who faced a setback after crashing on the descent of the Col d’Èze. Starting the day in third place overall, the Swiss rider’s mishap saw her drop to 14th in the general classification, marking a significant shift in her standing.