Despite taking a brilliant stage win on the final stage of La Vuelta Femenina, Demi Vollering couldn't quite do enough to unseat Annemiek van Vleuten in the overall lead of the race.
“I am very happy that I could win here," says Vollering in her post-race interview despite the fact she wasn't able to take to the top step of the final podium. Van Vleuten took control of the race lead from Vollering in some controversial circumstances with the Movistar Team being accused of attacking when Team SD Worx were having a comfort break, something Vollering references.
“The team fought very hard for it, because we had to make up for something after yesterday,” she admits. “Two stage victories with the team is very nice. The battle for the standings was very close, but if things had turned out differently yesterday, we would have won it too.”
Nevertheless, an impressive end to a brilliant week of racing is a continuation of the dominant form shown by Vollering in 2023, a year in which she has announced herself as the spiritual successor to van Vleuten who is set to retire at the end of the year. “It's a pity I couldn't compete against the best yesterday. But today I showed what we are worth and I am very happy with the fight we fought today," she concludes.
"I'm proud on how the team fought today. We showed what we're worth. We had something to make up, so I'm really happy that I could win here. 2 stage wins is really nice and it was close for the GC", says @demivollering after winning the last stage of @LaVueltaFem. 📸 @GettySport
