10 August 2026
Demi Vollering becomes first two-time Tour de France Femmes winner

Demi Vollering became the first two-time Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift champion on stage 9 in Nice.

The 29-year-old secured the title with another show of force on Sunday. She attacked Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney in the final 800 meters of the Col d’Èze.

Vollering and Niewiadoma-Phinney had already broken clear before the last ascent. The move turned the final climb into a direct duel for control of the race.

Vollering pulled away from the Canyon-SRAM captain and carried yellow into Nice. She finished the Tour 1:18 ahead of Niewiadoma-Phinney.

Elisa Longo Borghini of Team UAE L’IMAD completed the podium at 4:19.

Tour de France Femmes title settled on the Col d’Èze

Tour de France Femmes - Image from original material

Vollering’s attack worked as both a tactical blow and a statement. After Saturday’s controversy, she wanted to win without ambiguity.

Niewiadoma-Phinney had accused Vollering’s teammate Célia Gery of blocking her before Vollering’s key stage 8 move. That allegation fueled a sharp exchange around the race.

Vollering said she wanted to attack alone because she did not accept that the race had turned on one incident. She wanted her team’s victory to stand on performance.

She also referred to Gery after the finish. Vollering said she thought about her teammate, who had endured what she called a very rough night.

The final stage also carried personal meaning for Vollering. She said she had never won while wearing the yellow jersey before.

Her thoughts turned beyond the finish line during the ride into Nice. Vollering mentioned her team, her preparation, and the people supporting her work with Specialized on a new bike.

Back-to-back wins close a tense battle

Vollering saved her strongest racing for the final weekend. She ended the Tour with back-to-back stage victories in Nice.

The result closed a fluctuating contest with Niewiadoma-Phinney. Their battle had swung earlier on Mont Ventoux, where Niewiadoma-Phinney took the yellow jersey.

Vollering said she did not doubt her level on that day. She believed she had gambled too much and accepted the outcome as part of racing.

She contrasted that with Sunday’s approach. Niewiadoma-Phinney attacked on Ventoux and won there, while Vollering did the same in Nice.

The second Tour de France Femmes crown adds another major success to Vollering’s career. Her palmarès already includes the Giro, Tour of Flanders, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

Vollering said the victory belonged to a wider dream, not only to winning in yellow. She described a life built around work, passion, and shared commitment.

Speaking in Place Massena, she urged people to chase large goals and surround themselves with the right support. She said big dreams start with belief and action.

For Vollering, the closing climb above Nice gave that message a racing shape. She defended yellow by attacking, and history followed.

Related Cycle Nation stories

You may also like

see more…

Join Now

Don't miss out on the inside scoop – sign up now and be the first to know!

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

LIKE THIS POST?

Share it with your friends & family!