Evita Muzic denies Demi Vollering in brutal finale to stage 6 at La Vuelta Femenina 2024

In a thrilling summit finish to stage 6 of La Vuelta Femenina 2024, Evita Muzic has denied Demi Vollering back-to-back stage wins on a brutal climb.

With a summit finish looming at the end of the day, the four-woman breakaway that formed relatively early on was allowed to build up a relatively big advantage by the peloton, stretching out over four minutes with around 60km still to go.

As the pace in the peloton began to rise in preparation of the climb towards the line however, the time gap between the two groups began to fall drastically and with 18km to go, the race was all back together with focus fully turning to the summit finale.

FDJ - Suez were the team setting the pace on the early slopes of the climb, mostly through Grace Brown. Once the Australian peeled off however, Demi Vollering quickly took to the front of the group, began to set her own pace and ride her rivals off the back wheel, much like the Team SD Worx - Protime leader did on stage 5.

Rather than making any fierce attacks, the gradual yet brutal upping of the pace by the Red Jersey was seeing rider after rider begin to struggle behind. With 2km to go though, a momentary lull from Vollering allowed her teammate, Marlen Reusser to take to the front instead. Not allowing Team SD Worx - Protime to have complete control however, Pauliena Rooijakkers immediately attacked the group. 

Another acceleration from Demi Vollering threatened to fully snap the elastic with 600m to go. Evita Muzic was fighting hard to stay on the wheel of the Red Jersey but the former French Champion was the only one able to keep contact. Around the final corner Muzic made her move and Vollering couldn't react with the FDJ - Suez leader taking the stage as Yara Kasteijn secured third behind.