Demi Vollering launched a blistering attack to win the eighth stage of the Women’s Tour de France and take the yellow jersey heading into Sunday’s final stage.
The Dutchwoman upped the pace on Saturday’s fourth and final small climb and Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney cracked with about six kilometres to go, sitting back down in her saddle as 2023 Tour winner Vollering surged ahead.
As Vollering zoomed along the famed Promenade des Anglais by the seaside in Nice, Niewiadoma-Phinney and former Giro d’Italia winner Elisa Longo Borghini could not close the gap.
Vollering raised her arms triumphantly at the line, then sat on the ground and panted heavily as she tried to get her breath back. Longo Borghini was second and Niewiadoma-Phinney was third, both 17 seconds behind.
The day belonged to Vollering, who won the Giro d’Italia this year to complete the hat trick of Grands Tour wins.
She is eight seconds ahead of Niewiadoma-Phinney, the 2024 champion, in the overall standings. The Polish rider took the yellow jersey with a brilliant solo win up Mont Ventoux on Friday, and rode a yellow bike to go with it on Stage 8.
Stage 9 features four sharp climbs of Col d’Èze, which is nestled in the hills overlooking the tiny principality of Monaco.
Two years ago, Niewiadoma-Phinney beat Vollering on a final day mountain stage to win the race by just four seconds. Vollering will have to ensure it’s not a case of deja vu.
Earlier, defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot was forced to withdraw from the Tour having been struggling with an illness.
AP
