Demi Vollering secured her second Tour de France Femmes title with a commanding victory at the Col d’Èze, situated above Nice, finishing ahead of her competitor Kasia Niewiadoma by one minute and 18 seconds.
The pivotal moments unfolded during the steep and winding ascent of the Chemin du Vinaigrier, where Vollering and Niewiadoma renewed their rivalry after overtaking breakaway cyclist Isabella Holmgren. Niewiadoma attempted a final push reminiscent of her efforts on Mont Ventoux earlier in the week, but Vollering was able to maintain her position closely behind before finally breaking away just 600 meters from the summit of the Èze.
The backdrop to Vollering’s triumph was marked by controversy regarding tactics used at the base of the critical climb during Saturday’s stage from Sisteron to Nice. This tension has its roots in their prior encounters, particularly during the 2024 race when Niewiadoma capitalized on Vollering’s crash while she was in the yellow jersey, ultimately winning the event by a narrow margin of four seconds.
Before the final stage, Vollering expressed her respect for Niewiadoma but voiced her disappointment over comments made by Niewiadoma following Saturday’s race, where she criticized Vollering’s teammates. “I remember what happened two years ago when I was down on the ground. If she speaks about fair play, she should reflect on her actions,” Vollering stated, lamenting the negative exchanges between them post-race.
Niewiadoma had confronted Célia Gery, a teammate of Vollering’s, accusing her of impeding her progress during the final climb. The dispute escalated into Sunday as Vollering’s manager, Stephen Delcourt, called for an apology from Niewiadoma, emphasizing the need for integrity within the sport. He defended Gery, who is only 20 years old, suggesting that she did not intend to cause any obstruction.
Lars Boom, Vollering’s sporting director, highlighted the severe backlash Gery faced on social media, including threats. He stated, “Having reviewed the footage, it appears there was little to it, and Gery left enough space.”
As the race progressed, discussions persisted. During the initial ascent of the Col d’Èze, Vollering and Niewiadoma were seen conversing before a moment of tension arose when Vollering gestured towards Niewiadoma, who then sped ahead.
Niewiadoma, reflecting on her experience, remarked, “I’ve been racing for a long time and know what is right. Demi is incredibly strong, and it’s an honor to compete against her. I simply want to ensure fairness in our races.”
Her husband, former world champion Taylor Phinney, weighed in on the controversy, suggesting that while Gery’s actions may not have been illegal, they were unsportsmanlike. He criticized the maneuver as more befitting a junior race than a prestigious event in the cycling calendar.
The final day of the competition was also challenging for Marlen Reusser, who had previously won the stage four time trial but suffered a fall on the descent of the Col d’Èze. Although she managed to finish the stage, her overall standing dropped significantly, concluding in 14th place.
Despite her struggles, Niewiadoma remained motivated, noting her fifth podium finish in as many years. “Today’s experience only fuels my desire to return even stronger,” she said.
Ultimately, this Tour de France Femmes represented a significant moment for Vollering, especially after her emotional experience at Alpe d’Huez two years ago. “I wanted to show that our victory was not solely due to Saturday’s incident. Our team genuinely deserved to win this Tour de France Femmes with grace and pride,” she concluded.
