“I wish I was sharper” – Van der Breggen and Niewiadoma react to Volleing’s European Championship win

Demi Vollering capped her remarkable season by winning the 2025 Women’s European Championships road race, breaking clear on the final circuit to claim the continental title ahead of Katarzyna Niewiadoma and Anna van der Breggen. The race, held over the demanding climbs of Drôme–Ardèche, France, saw the newly crowned European champion deliver a perfectly timed attack that neither of her illustrious rivals could match.

For Vollering, it was redemption after narrowly missing the world title in Kigali and a statement of dominance to close her season. But for Niewiadoma, the 31-year-old 2024 Tour de France Femmes winner, silver carried its own meaning, a mix of pride, frustration, and reflection.

“Yeah, it was definitely happy, especially to see my Polish crew right there cheering for me,” she told Cycling Pro Net after stepping off the podium. “Of course, the hopes were higher, but I also have to admit that Demi hit an extremely brutal attack. Maybe I'm a little angry with myself because I felt like mentally I gave up, I allowed myself to sit on Anna's wheel and not stay in the mindset of ‘anything can happen now.’”

Niewiadoma admitted that fatigue played its part on the final laps. “Sometimes I just allow myself to think nothing will happen now, instead of being ready for more action. I think it happens when you're just tired and mentally fatigued,” she said. “I wish I was sharper in my mind. But I’m still happy to end the season with a medal.”

Van der Breggen, who took bronze, confirmed that the Dutch team had executed its plan to perfection. “It’s always a good day when you can execute the plan like this,” she said. “Kasia was really strong, but she didn’t come much closer in the end. For me, the bronze is a nice bonus. Demi was clearly the leader, and our plan was to go for the jersey.”

Reflecting on her own season, Niewiadoma was philosophical. “It wasn’t the greatest season for me. Last year was one of the best, this year the opposite, but that’s how cycling goes. When things don’t go your way, you get extra hunger for more. I’m ready for a holiday now, and ready for 2026.”