“She wanted to show Niewiadoma that she deserved it” – Demi Vollering’s Pogacar-like completeness proves point at Tour de France Femmes
Cycling
Demi Vollering reached the final stage of the 2026 Tour de France Femmes with an eight-second lead over Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney and the fallout from the previous afternoon still hanging over the race.
Niewiadoma-Phinney had accused FDJ United-Suez rider Celia Gery of deliberately forcing her towards the barriers during the Stage 8 finale in Nice, shortly before Vollering attacked to take yellow.
Sporza analyst Ine Beyen believed that episode gave the Dutchwoman extra motivation heading into Sunday. "She really wanted to win in that yellow jersey in Nice," Beyen said. "She also wanted to show Katarzyna Niewiadoma that she deserved it."
Niewiadoma-Phinney attacked first on the final ascent of the Col d'Eze, but Vollering stayed with her before accelerating near the summit and riding alone towards Nice. An eight-second advantage became 1:18, while a third stage victory completed her second overall Tour win.
Beaten in Dijon and on Ventoux, still standing in Nice
Marlen Reusser had beaten Vollering in the Dijon time trial, while Niewiadoma-Phinney produced the strongest pure climbing performance of the race on Mont Ventoux, attacking from distance and taking 1:16 from her at the summit.
Vollering remained close enough to strike back. Her attack on the steep closing ramp of Stage 8 turned a 15-second deficit into an eight-second lead, before the final day's move settled the race. "She can tick every box, so she's very difficult to beat," Beyen said. "Especially in Grand Tours, she's the most complete. She has a perfect time trial, which Niewiadoma doesn't have. She's also very punchy on the bike."
Beyen also felt Vollering had to move past the previous day's controversy before the finale. "She needed to put that out of her mind," she said.
Vollering secured the second Tour win of her career
Pogacar comparison, but not Pogacar-style control
Vollering has now won the Tour de France Femmes twice, the Vuelta Espana Femenina twice and the Giro d'Italia Women, giving her overall victories in all three of women's cycling's Grand Tours. Her five Tour appearances have produced five podium finishes, while her one-day palmares includes the Tour of Flanders, La Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege.
Those results have fuelled comparisons with Tadej Pogacar, although Beyen pointed to one clear difference. "I think Vollering faced more opposition," she said. "That's different from the men's race, and perhaps it's better that way, that they are more evenly matched."
Reusser beat her against the clock. Niewiadoma-Phinney rode away from her on Ventoux. Around Nice, Vollering answered on terrain that rewarded the punch and versatility Beyen had highlighted, taking yellow on Saturday and then winning alone in it 24 hours later.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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