Just like Pogacar - Demi Vollering mimic's men's world champion to take European Champion win "completely on my own"

Demi Vollering was the strongest rider at today's European Championships women's road race, and she stamped her victory with a long-range solo attack before even entering the final circuit. This was the Dutchwoman's plan all along, taking the example of Tadej Pogacar's trademark solo attacks to victory in the biggest races of the year.

The Dutch had a plan in mind and pushed the pace as hard as they could on the 7-kilometer long ascent that marked the day. The difference could've been made later, however here was the terrain where Vollering saw that it was more likely she could make the difference. "We rode the perfect race together. I felt really good today. I had been very confident the past few days and wanted to attack early," the new European Champion said in a post-race interview.

Vollering might have had the best climbing legs in the peloton, but she didn't want to leave it to luck or the more explosive ascent to Val d'Enfer. "I knew I still had all the time trial training I'd done for the World Championships. I wanted to go early and do the last part completely on my own, so I could be sure of the victory. Because we rode such a good race with the team, I really wanted to finish it off for them."

After dropping Elisa Longo Borghini and Katarzyna Niewiadoma, as well as overpowering her teammate Anna van der Breggen who struggled in Kigali but looked back to her best level again today in France, Vollering could enjoy a strong solo triumph as only the Polish rider was in close pursuit of her.

"It was a beautiful race. It had a bit of everything. Flat sections with lots of turns, just like in a criterium. But also the climbs. It was a good combination of everything. This was exactly how I like it. It was a perfect day for us," she added.

The FDJ-Suez rider, after her World Championships disappointment, will now be able to wear the European stripes for the upcoming year. "I'm really looking forward to riding in the European champion's jersey. I'll do it with great pride."