Demi Vollering of the Netherlands won her second Tour de France Femmes, finishing one minute and 18 seconds ahead of rival Kasia Niewiadoma, according to the Guardian, though a row over tactics continued after the race.
Key facts
- Demi Vollering won her second Tour de France Femmes title.
- The Guardian reported she finished 1:18 ahead of 2024 champion Kasia Niewiadoma.
- Vollering first won the race in 2023.
- The decisive attack came on the Col d'Èze, overlooking Nice.
Dutch cyclist Demi Vollering has won her second Tour de France Femmes, sealing victory with a decisive attack on the Col d’Èze, overlooking Nice, according to the Guardian. The Guardian reported she finished one minute and 18 seconds clear of her rival Kasia Niewiadoma, the 2024 champion.
The winning move came on the narrow, snaking climb of the Chemin du Vinaigrier, past swimming pools and art deco villas, where breakaway rider Isabella Holmgren was finally overhauled. From there, Vollering and Niewiadoma once again went head-to-head, with the Dutch rider proving strongest.
The Guardian reported that despite an ongoing row over tactics, there was no debate about the outcome in the end. Runner-up Niewiadoma said, “I know what’s right and what’s not.”
Vollering first won the competition in 2023, making this her second title at the race.
Accounts of the finishing order differ between outlets: the Guardian named Niewiadoma as runner-up, while NPR reported that Vollering finished more than a minute ahead of Spanish rider Paula Blasi Cairol, with Niewiadoma also among the leading finishers. The precise placings behind Vollering are not clear from the available sources.
The result caps a closely watched edition of the race, in which Vollering and Niewiadoma renewed their rivalry across the demanding climbs of the route’s final stages near the French Riviera.
Why it matters
The Tour de France Femmes is the premier stage race in women's professional cycling. Vollering's second title adds to her record in the event, while her rivalry with Niewiadoma continues to draw attention.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the 2026 Tour de France Femmes?
Dutch cyclist Demi Vollering won the race, her second title after first winning in 2023.
By how much did Vollering win?
She finished one minute and 18 seconds ahead of runner-up Kasia Niewiadoma, the 2024 champion.
Where was the decisive stage decided?
Vollering went clear on the Col d'Èze, overlooking Nice, after the field overhauled breakaway rider Isabella Holmgren on the Chemin du Vinaigrier.