Results Women’s road race World Championships Montréal 2026 - Demi Vollering wins in amazing battle against Niewiadoma and Longo Borghini

The 2026 women's road race world championships has been won by Demi Vollering. The Dutchwoman was the main favourite for the road race, but had to go to the limit on several occasions to take the rainbow jersey for the first time in her career; beating Katarzyna Niewiadoma and Elisa Longo Borghini.

The race had 180 kilometers in distance, beginning in Brossard and entering the circuit with just over 70 kilometers in the legs. Nine full laps of the circuit would follow, with a breakaway of two forming early in the day: Natalie Quinn and Marte Berg Edseth entering in front.

The race would be marked by several crashes which would take out some of the contenders. Kim Le Court was cast aside after one of the falls; whilst reigning champion and home favourite Magdeleine Vallières did not have the opportunity to properly defend her title. Paula Blasi also withdrew due to the effects of a crash.

Edseth was caught with 76 kilometers to go, with the race still compact. The Netherlands was controlling it for Demi Vollering, with clear intent. With 52 kilometers to go Maeva Squiban attacked with four climbs still remaining of Mount Royal, carving a gap. The gap became worrisome and with three ascents remaining, the Netherlands went all out in order to ensure the race wouldn't get out of hand.

Puck Pieterse delivered a mythical leadout for Vollering and the Dutchwoman attacked near the summit of the climb. Vollering caught Squiban and dropped her, whilst the Frenchwoman then stayed with Pieterse, Elisa Longo Borghini and Katarzyna Niewiadoma.

Marlen Reusser, from behind, managed to bridge across, bringing Juliette Berthet, Célia Gery and Dominika Wlodarczyk together with her. An eight-rider group then began pursuit of Vollering, with the gap growing as big as 30 seconds. Vollering appeared the strongest, but inbetween climbs Reusser worked a lot behind, keeping the momentum of the group whilst others also collaborated.

On the climb Elisa Longo Borghini attacked with Niewiadoma following. Juliette Berthet then bridged across mid-circuit, was dropped, but then reached the head of the race after the duo ahead caught Vollering.

On the penultimate passage through the finish line Longo Borghini attacked and carved a gap of 10 seconds. The win looked to be escaping the rest, but on Mount Royal Vollering closed the gap and, with Niewiadoma in the wheel, dropped Longo Borghini once again. The two would push each other to the limit on the mid-circuit climbs, keeping Longo Borghini away from the fight for gold simultaneously.

The sprint would decide the race, with Longo Borghini just holding off Marlen Reusser to take third place on the road. The Tour de France Femmes podium ended up filling up the World Championships as well, with Vollering beating Niewiadoma in the final sprint and taking an emotional win.