Just one week after winning La Vuelta Femenina, Demi
Vollering continued her run of sensational form by claiming both the final
stage and overall general classification at the 2025 Itzulia Women. The Dutch
rider delivered a solo triumph on the decisive final day to wrap up a
commanding performance in the Basque Country.
"When you win solo, you are really sure, and I had to
gain time on Mischa Bredewold," she explained after crossing the line,
having done exactly that with a well-timed and confident move.
Speaking in her flash interview, Vollering reflected on the
decisive final climb, “I couldn’t wait. And if there’s a climb in the final,
then I know how strong I am,” she said. “I did fall yesterday, which gave me
muscle pain and made me feel a bit stiff, but I’ve felt worse. Like when I had
a broken back in the Tour… I know I can do it and I have confidence in myself,
so I had to believe in it.”
Vollering was quick to praise her teammates for their
support throughout the stage, highlighting the cohesion and strength of the FDJ
- Suez squad, “The team was so strong, because Amber Kraak rode strongly all
day. Léa Curinier did a good job at the foot of the final climb and Évita Muzic
followed the others in the group behind me… It was perfect teamwork."
The win marked her third career overall victory at Itzulia
Women, a race that clearly holds special significance for her. “A victory is
always nice, you always need victories. That is the best feeling there is,” she
laughed. “Every victory is important. It is the third time that I have won
here, so I always did well here and I am proud of that.”
Reflecting on the nature of the race, Vollering added,
“Itzulia is a beautiful race. This race suits me well, but it is always a bit
exciting. You never know in advance how it will go, because a lot can happen,
but when I got to the final climb, I was happy and I could do my thing.”