DEMI VOLLERING’S LATE attack and solo break for victory earned the overall lead of the Tour de France Femmes on Saturday as overnight leader Kasia Niewiadoma Phinney finished third on the day.
The Dutch rider now leads the Pole by eight seconds with a title struggle in the hills outside Nice ripe for a tense finale on Sunday’s final stage with a series of four climbs of the steep seven-kilometre
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Stage 8 was a 171.9 km run from Sisteron to Nice with a flat route interrupted by a late climb which the 2023 champion used to full advantage, dropping Niewiadoma Phinney on its steepest section.
Vollering then extended her advantage to 17 seconds at the Nice seafront Promenade des Anglais finish line.
“I can’t tell you how much I suffered, but with all the good people I have round me, that made it possible. I gave it everything,” said Vollering, who appeared to be exhausted.
Swiss rider Marlen Reusser, who took the yellow jersey in Tuesday’s time-trial and held on another day, is now in third place 1:12 seconds off the pace, with Elisa Longo Borghini at 3:05 in fourth.
Defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot withdrew on Saturday morning due to illness after having struggled to the finish line on Friday over 10 minutes down at the line.
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'I can't tell you how much I suffered': Demi Vollering snatches TDF lead ahead of Sunday's finale
DEMI VOLLERING’S LATE attack and solo break for victory earned the overall lead of the Tour de France Femmes on Saturday as overnight leader Kasia Niewiadoma Phinney finished third on the day.
The Dutch rider now leads the Pole by eight seconds with a title struggle in the hills outside Nice ripe for a tense finale on Sunday’s final stage with a series of four climbs of the steep seven-kilometre
Stage 8 was a 171.9 km run from Sisteron to Nice with a flat route interrupted by a late climb which the 2023 champion used to full advantage, dropping Niewiadoma Phinney on its steepest section.
Vollering then extended her advantage to 17 seconds at the Nice seafront Promenade des Anglais finish line.
“I can’t tell you how much I suffered, but with all the good people I have round me, that made it possible. I gave it everything,” said Vollering, who appeared to be exhausted.
Swiss rider Marlen Reusser, who took the yellow jersey in Tuesday’s time-trial and held on another day, is now in third place 1:12 seconds off the pace, with Elisa Longo Borghini at 3:05 in fourth.
Defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot withdrew on Saturday morning due to illness after having struggled to the finish line on Friday over 10 minutes down at the line.
– © AFP 2026
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Cycling Demi Vollering tour de france femmes Voll Speed Ahead