Despite Disqualifications in the Team, Dutch Rider Climbs a Step Closer to the Yellow Jersey for Tour-De-France Femmes

Dutch professional cyclist Demi Vollering pulled ahead of her competitors in the last leg of the Tour de France Femmes. She displayed impressive strength and determination as she climbed to the Col du Tourmalet summit. The SD Worx cyclist won the yellow jersey and will ride into the next stage as the overall leader. Vollering has only the 22km time trial remaining before the conclusion of the Tour de France Femmes. With her current form and determination, she will undoubtedly give her all in the time trial to defend her yellow jersey and secure a memorable victory in this prestigious race.

Vollering had to overcome major challenges, which included the disqualification of team members and even a penalty. However, on Saturday’s 89.9km stage, Vollering faced her biggest challenge yet. She had to beat her rival Annemiek van Vleuten by somehow maneuvering through the Pyrenean mists. Van Vleuten was leading the peloton by a slim margin until Vollering and another rider joined her.

Three Titans on the Pyrenees

This year, Van Vleuten was the defending champion and determined to reclaim her title. The two Dutchwomen played a game of cat and mouse, constantly attacking and counterattacking each other throughout the stage. Van Vleuten had initiated the first meaningful moves of the stage, 35km from the finish, as the peloton broke apart on the unrelenting climb of the Aspin. The 2022 winner’s acceleration took Katarzyna Niewiadoma and Vollering with her, and the trio built a lead on the winding bends to the summit.

Van Vleuten started strong from the get-go and kept her lead till the last 50km mark. From then onwards, the riders had to face the steep climb of the Col d’Aspin. Here the duo was joined by Katarzyna Niewiadoma, the Polish contender for the yellow jersey. The three riders kept going while the rest followed at a distance, unable to catch up.

At the descent from the treacherous mountain pass, the Pole advanced towards Sainte-Marie-de-Campan ahead of the Dutchwomen. According to The Guardian, Van Vleuten said to Vollering, “This is not good for the both of us,” but it fell on deaf ears. It seemed like Vollering did not care who triumphed as long as it was not her bitter rival Van Vleuten. But suddenly, she came to her right senses and made a decisive move.

Demi Vollering ends the race with a definitive move

Niewiadoma was climbing up the Tourmalet with a huge group of riders, including Vollering and Van Vleuten, following behind her. Near the La Mongie ski resort, Vollering broke away from the pack and launched a solo attack. She quickly gained a significant lead, leaving Van Vleuten and the rest of the group struggling to catch up. This was Vollering’s answer to Van Vleuten’s previous dominance in the race.

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She overtook Niewiadoma with just six kilometers left for the finish line. Finally, she streamed past the roaring fans and ended the race with a huge lead. Vollering now has the final challenge left for Sunday when she needs to conquer the steep climb of Place Verdun. Her spot on the podium is pretty much guaranteed. However, her timing on Sunday’s race will determine if she gets first place or second.

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