Demi Vollering Claims Historic Victory at Tour de France Femmes

Dramatic Finale: Vollering Wins Again

Demi Vollering from the Netherlands has made history by winning the Tour de France Femmes for the second time, a feat no other woman has achieved before. Polish cyclist Kasia Niewiadoma finished in second place, while Germany’s Antonia Niedermaier secured fourth overall, earning the White Jersey as the best young rider.

With just a few kilometers left in the final stage, Vollering looked into the cameras, shaking her head and smiling, fully aware that her overall victory was secure. On the steep final climb, she surged to the front and extended her lead during the descent. The emotional 29-year-old crossed the finish line with tears in her eyes, raising her fists in celebration.

"I have never won in the yellow jersey before," Vollering said after her triumph on August 9, 2026. "I thought about my team and everyone who has supported me. It’s a dream to work with people who share this love."

Intense Final Stage

Vollering entered the last stage with a mere eight-second lead over Niewiadoma, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion. The final day’s route was challenging, covering 99.2 kilometers with an elevation gain of 2,100 meters, including the notorious Col d'Èze, which features gradients of up to 16 percent, followed by a 15-kilometer descent to the finish line on the Promenade des Anglais.

Early Attacks

From the outset, the race saw numerous attacks, although no rider managed to break away initially. Niewiadoma’s team, Canyon - SRAM, maintained a high pace in an attempt to isolate Vollering. Niedermaier, supporting Niewiadoma, also had her sights set on defending her White Jersey.

Antonia Niedermaier (Weißes Trikot) übernimmt die Führungsarbeit für Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney

Points and Sprint Jerseys Decided

Before the final stage, Puck Pieterse had already secured the Polka Dot Jersey, provided she finished the race. The battle for the Green Jersey was settled early in the day at the first sprint point, where Lorena Wiebes collected 17 points, ensuring her top position was unassailable.

After the flat section, Canyon resumed control of the pace, led by 21-year-old Zoe Backstedt, who pushed the tempo to the limit. By the 32-kilometer mark, only 13 riders remained in the peloton. Shortly before the descent, Backstedt handed over the pace-setting duties to Niedermaier, who was focused on supporting Niewiadoma’s bid for the overall victory.

Marlen Reusser's Disappointment

Swiss rider Marlen Reusser, who started the final stage in third place overall, faced a setback when she crashed during the descent about halfway through the stage. Although she continued after receiving treatment, her chances of maintaining her podium position slipped away as the gap to the leaders widened.

Niedermaier Supports Niewiadoma

As the race progressed, Canadian Isabella Holmgren took the lead, extending her advantage over the group of overall contenders to a minute. However, her lead began to dwindle as the riders entered the final round.

At the Col d'Èze, Niedermaier set a strong pace at the front of the peloton, preparing the way for Niewiadoma’s attack. Just before the steepest section, Niedermaier caught up with Holmgren.

Turning Point on the Climb

Niewiadoma then increased the pace, moving to the front, with only Vollering able to keep up. The duel for the overall title intensified as Vollering launched her attack 700 meters from the summit, pulling ahead of Niewiadoma. Vollering frequently glanced back, noticing her lead growing as Niewiadoma struggled to keep pace. Vollering’s advantage at the summit expanded to 20 seconds, marking a crucial moment in the race.

During the descent, Vollering further increased her lead to over a minute, solidifying her victory. She completed the final stage in 2 hours, 44 minutes, and 43 seconds, with Paula Blasi finishing second and Niewiadoma in third, both crossing the line over a minute behind.

A Historic Achievement

This victory marks Vollering’s second win at the Tour de France Femmes, following her triumph in 2023, making her the first woman to win this event twice in its current format.

Niedermaier also made history by becoming the first German to earn a classification jersey at the Tour de France Femmes with her White Jersey. "I think it will take some time to realize this," Niedermaier said after the finish. "It was a beautiful tour, and I am proud of the result." Her performance was a promising sign for her team’s sports director, Rolf Aldag, who expressed hope that she would someday switch from white to yellow.