Demi Vollering wins her second Tour de France : NPR
Netherlands’ Demi Vollering celebrates on the rostrum after profitable the Ladies’s Tour de France biking race in Good, France, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026.
Philippe Magoni/AP
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Philippe Magoni/AP
After profitable the Ladies’s Tour de France for the second time on Sunday, Demi Vollering tried laborious to carry again tears whereas the Dutch nationwide anthem performed.
It was her hardest second of the day after an ultra-dominant efficiency on the bike from the 2023 champion.
She secured a powerful stage win, and in doing so prolonged her general lead over Polish rider Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney to 1 minute, 18 seconds away from the 2024 champion.
Vollering raised her bike within the air moments after crossing the end line in Good. Niewiadoma-Phinney had began Sunday’s ninth and last stage solely eight seconds behind Vollering, who obtained a time bonus for profitable it.
Lastly, because the Dutch anthem ended, a lone tear trickled down the aspect of Vollering’s face. Just a few extra quickly adopted as her achievement hit residence.
“It isn’t solely the dream of profitable the Tour de France. It is also the dream of residing this life, of working laborious together with passionate individuals,” the 29-year-old Vollering mentioned. “All of it begins with dreaming. Go chase the goals and do not let anybody cease you.”
No one may on Sunday.
Figuring out that she was properly clear, Vollering started to rejoice as the road approached, elevating her arm in triumph after which tapping her head along with her finger to point out her psychological power.
“I used to be occupied with loads of issues as I used to be approaching the end line. I assumed that I had by no means gained within the yellow jersey earlier than,” Vollering mentioned. “I thought of how a lot work has gone into this victory. I assumed concerning the individuals who have been behind me.”
She completed the stage 1 minute, 4 seconds forward of Spaniard Paula Blasi Cairol and Niewiadoma-Phinney, who seemed drained however was all smiles afterward the rostrum.
Former Giro d’Italia champion Elisa Longo Borghini of Italy was third general within the Tour — 4:29 behind — after Marlen Reusser misplaced invaluable time after crashing going downhill after the second of the day’s 4 climbs.
Reusser ended up 14th general at practically 26 minutes behind.
Vollering assaults
Niewiadoma-Phinney had all of it to do on the ultimate climb, particularly along with her rival sitting on her wheel, and was unable to stress Vollering.
Vollering attacked about 800 meters from the highest and dropped Niewiadoma-Phinney — as she did when profitable Saturday’s eighth stage to take the general lead from her rival.
Two years in the past, Vollering missed out on Tour victory after ending an agonizing 4 seconds behind Niewiadoma-Phinney on the final stage.
She made full amends this time.
Vollering has now gained 5 Grand Excursions, together with two Spanish Vuelta titles and the Giro d’Italia secured in June to hitch countrywoman Annemiek van Vleuten as the one different feminine bicycle owner to have gained all three Grand Excursions.
“I nonetheless have loads of goals,” Vollering mentioned. “On and off the bike.”
4 climbs
Every of the primary three climbs on Sunday was 7.7 kilometers lengthy with a 5.9% common gradient. However the last ascent branched off onto a barely totally different route which, despite the fact that it was shorter at 6 kilometers, had a steeper common gradient of seven.6% with one portion stretching to a grueling 12%.
It made little distinction.
After profitable Friday’s seventh stage with a powerful solo assault of her personal up the long-lasting Mont Ventoux, Niewiadoma-Phinney appeared in need of vitality and Vollering’s lead was by no means beneath menace.
