💥 @demivollering now leads with 3KM to go. 💥@demivollering est désormais seule en tête à 3 km de l'arrivée. #TDFF2023 #WatchTheFemmes @GoZwift
Victory for Vollering in the fog of the Tourmalet she takes Queen Stage and moves into overall lead at the Tour de France Femmes
CyclingSaturday, 29 July 2023 at 19:17
Atop the historic Col du Tourmalet, Demi Vollering has emerged through the fog a stunning winner to take the queen stage of the 2023 Tour de France Femmes and move into the Maillot Jaune.
The queen stage of the 2023 Tour de France Femmes. Stage 7 sees the ascent of the Col d'Aspin (12Km; 6.5%) to warm things up, and a very hard summit finish at the Col du Tourmalet (17Km; 7.3%).
As the peloton began climbing for the first time, just two riders were out in front of the bunch. Susanne Andersen (Uno-X Pro Cycling Team) and Margot Pompanon (St Michel - Mavic - Auber93 WE).
Those two were soon caught on the climb of the Aspin however as the Movistar Team took to the front of the peloton and began ripping up the race.
With 35km to go, Annemiek van Vleuten made her move, blowing almost everyone off her wheel, only Demi Vollering and Katarzyna Niewiadoma keeping pace with the world champion.
As they reached the top of the climb, the leading trio held a gap of 49 seconds over the second group on the road, one which included the likes of Maillot Jaune Lotte Kopecky, Juliette Labous and Ashleigh Moolman.
On the descent, Niewiadoma attacked from the group with van Vleuten and Vollering. As she took a gap, the two favourites almost came to a standstill, trying to force the other to do the pulling.
As Niewiadoma began to climb the iconic Tourmalet, Vollering and Van Vleuten were caught by the chasing group behind.
Marlen Reusser though was doing a brilliant turn on the front of the chasing group, bringing down the gap to Niewiadoma, getting to within 10 seconds.
Once Reusser's effort finished though, despite Niewiadoma basically being within touching distance, the catch could not be completed with the 28-year-old Pole re-extending her lead and riding clear once again.
With 5.6km to go, Demi Vollering made her move to try and close the gap, van Vleuten immediately on her back wheel but as the fog descended, the Movistar leader began to be distanced by her Team SD Worx counterpart.
As Vollering made it up to Niewiadoma, she wasted no time resting in the wheels, straight away going round the Polish rider and moving into the lone lead of the race.
After a standout season, the Maillot Jaune would be the cherry on the cake for Vollering. As she reached the 1km to go marker, the 26-year-old had stretched out a massive 1:11 over Niewiadoma with van Vleuten 1:32 back.
By the time Vollering crossed the line arms aloft, thoughts were immediately turned to whether or not this was the overall race-winning move.
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