Vollering conquers the Women’s Vuelta in a big way

Demi Vollering (27 years old) It is the great standard of current women’s cycling. A true star of the peloton who adds one more achievement to his excellent record: The Women’s Tour. She was second in 2024 after her compatriot Annemiek van Vleuten, already retired, just nine seconds behind Movistar and being one of the great dominators of that test, with two stages under her belt. For this edition it arrived as a great favorite and fulfilled the predictions. And all this despite appearing at the start of La Vuelta Femenina in Valencia a week ago without any victories to their credit this campaign. Strange, because the performance was good, hitting the stick several times, until at the Rapitán Fort, last Thursday, she raised her arms giving a blow to the general that was almost definitive. As if that were not enough, to display his authority, he also won in Valdesquí with a solo attack 6.5 km from the summit. In a big way.

On the final day of the Sierra de Guadarrama, with the classic ports of the Madrid area of ​​Morcuera and Cotos, The SD Worx resisted without major problems, with the usual cool temperature due to the altitude but no snow. On an early morning day, the Telefónica District was the starting point of this last stage, a tribute to the company’s 100th anniversary (in September the last stage of La Vuelta will do the same), involved in cycling with Movistar (the runners received a cake on the podium except for the absent Sara Martín, who could not be in the game on the last day due to injury) and a Tour de France champion like Pedro Delgado was also present, with his usual cheerful character with the fans and runners.

And, in addition, this May 5th also had a special celebration in Spain: the Mother’s Day. Five of them started in this second Women’s Tour, of which three (Lizzie Deignan, Tamara Dronova and Antri Christoforou) completed the race and were presented with a rose at the signature control, delivered by Dori Ruano, ambassador of the race. Rafael Fernández de Alarcón, director of Telefónica Sponsorships, carried out the protocol signature control. “I have to go to the bathroom for a moment,” Vollering warned before leaving, as she was the last to go to the exit arch in her shiny red leader’s clothing. At the beginning, first escape attempts with runners like Lippert, Vas, Spratt… it was a powerful group that finally couldn’t make a way. Attacks, counterattacks, and a small escape with Mireia Benito (named super combative), the Spanish from Soudal, pulling in favor of her partner Sarah Gigante.

In La Morcuera the push of DSM, Visma and FDJ ended any aspirations ahead. In fact, Muzic, winner in the Laguna Negra with the French team, took first place. The Estela Domínguez summit was missing, which in this edition was Valdesquí (in the previous edition, also to finish, it was the Covadonga Lakes and it was also for Demi), and the big favorites were together on the way to Rascafría, shortly before starting the climb final (12.8 km at 4.8%). Karlijn Swinkels, from the UAE, showed a brave attitude, attacked and led the group by more than a minute.

Leader Vollering’s SD Worx (team that he will leave at the end of this campaign) was trying to set the pace… although the FDJ (his more than likely destiny) he quickly wanted to take the lead. Everything for Muzic (she was second) after showing that she could hold out against Demi these days in Soria, while the theoretical great rival of the leader, the Italian Longo-Borghini, did not have her best legs (she finished third overall, ahead by Markus). It was surprising to see the leader Vollering alone with 12 km left, without powerful teammates, but she showed that she is the strongest in a big way: attacking 6.5 km from the finish line, showing authority and demonstrating who is the best in this Lap. He didn’t need it, but it also serves as a message to the rest for the future. Including his own team. Enough time to reach the finish line meandering, enjoying the crowd, and raising his bike to the sky as soon as he crossed the finish line. Champion of a Vuelta that never stops growing.

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