Tour de France Femmes: Vollering Claims Victory After Intense Competition

Tourreporterin

Stand: 09.08.2026 • 22:14 Uhr

The winner of the Tour de France Femmes has been determined after nine grueling days of racing. Demi Vollering emerged victorious, but the competition for the yellow jersey was fierce, featuring significant involvement from German riders.

As the cyclists approached the final ascent of the Col d’Eze, ominous storm clouds gathered over Nice. However, the tension had been brewing even before the start of the last stage, particularly for two teams: FDJ-United Suez and Canyon//Sram. The controversy surrounding Célia Gery's actions from the previous day loomed large.

What transpired? Kasia Niewiadoma, who had been leading in yellow, accused Gery, a teammate of her closest rival Demi Vollering, of pushing her into a barrier just before the finish line on Saturday (August 8, 2026). This incident cost her the yellow jersey. While it may have impacted that specific day, Vollering had clearly demonstrated her strength over the final two stages, becoming the first rider since the Tour de France Femmes was reinstated to win the overall title twice.

Vollering Aims to Inspire with Tour Win

With a powerful attack 16 kilometers from the finish, Vollering not only secured her victory but also capped off the day as the stage winner. What began as an eight-second lead transformed into a margin of over a minute by the end of the overall standings. Overcome with emotion during the award ceremony, the 29-year-old couldn't hold back her tears. "Chase your dreams, and you will succeed," she urged the audience, surrounded by her team, including a visibly moved Franziska Koch.

In a more composed manner, while holding candies in her hand, she elaborated in the mixed zone on her message. "I truly hope many young girls and boys will now get on their bikes and feel inspired. That they dare to dream big and pursue those dreams," said Vollering, who often speaks candidly about the mental aspects of sports. She added, "It’s not just about getting on the bike. It’s crucial for our bodies and mental health to stay active, and yes, to realize those dreams."

Teamwork Highlighted by Franziska Koch

Vollering emphasized that this second Tour victory was particularly meaningful because it reflected a true team effort. She likely still recalls the disappointment from 2024 when, as captain of Team SD Worx, she crashed and none of her teammates waited for her. "I thoroughly enjoyed the past nine days. The entire preparation was excellent. I told myself that whatever happens, I am already proud of how we as a team worked towards this goal."

Franziska Koch, a Paris-Roubaix winner, played a crucial supporting role, placing her own ambitions aside for the sake of the yellow jersey. "It’s a great honor to be here and to have given everything for Demi," she told Sportschau after the race. "We came here with high aspirations and are a group that spends a lot of time together, both on and off the bike." Despite struggling early in the Tour due to the heat, she showcased her strength as the race progressed.

Niewiadoma Reflects on Her Performance

Despite the previous day's turmoil, camaraderie returned as Niewiadoma revealed in the mixed zone that she and Vollering had resolved their issues during the race. Although they initially exchanged accusations of unsportsmanlike conduct, peace seemed to have been restored. "What happens in the race should perhaps be left to us riders to settle, and the media should simply stay silent about it," Niewiadoma stated, shifting her focus to her second-place finish.

She expressed no disappointment, despite the yellow jersey being a significant goal for her Canyon//Sram team. "I know that I and the team did our best. If you have nothing to regret, why should you not be happy?" she rhetorically asked the media. "But I won't just give up and settle for second place. The constant fight for the top pushes us to have bigger dreams."

Niedermaier Looks to the Future

Antonia Niedermaier, Niewiadoma's teammate, also showed no signs of disappointment in her interview with Sportschau. "Vollering was simply too strong. We really gave everything today. In the end, Demi was just stronger and truly deserved to win. That’s something we must accept," said the German rider, who had previously secured a second-place finish at the Giro d’Italia and finished fourth in the Tour, just 51 seconds shy of a podium spot.

It’s no surprise that Niedermaier is regarded as the next big star in German cycling. Having already claimed the white jersey for the best young rider, she sees it as a promising step forward. "It’s always great to take something home. But of course, I want to be on the podium or wear another jersey color in the future. That will come with time." Notably, Niedermaier made history during this Tour as the first rider to wear a classification jersey at its conclusion.

Reusser's Dramatic Exit

The battle for the yellow jersey had primarily centered on Vollering, Niewiadoma, and Marlen Reusser. Unfortunately for the Swiss rider, her Tour ended dramatically as it began—with a crash. After wearing the yellow jersey for three days, she fell from fourth to fourteenth place, finishing over 24 minutes behind the leader and shedding tears of disappointment.

Her teammate, Liane Lippert, who served as a key supporter for Reusser, expressed her disappointment in the post-race interview. "I believe we gave everything. We all held back for the overall classification, and in the end, we unfortunately lost everything. It’s a shame, but I’m proud of our team."

This sentiment of pride resonates with all the riders, reflecting their shared accomplishment of completing the demanding nine days of racing. Interestingly, just as Demi Vollering crossed the finish line, the sun broke through, dispelling the dark clouds overhead.