Defending champion sprints to second place in Ardennes stage in Tour de France Femmes

Defending champion sprints to second place in Ardennes stage in Tour de France Femmes

Yellow jersey tighter around shoulders Demi Vollering

14/08/2024

On her favourite terrain in the Ardennes, Demi Vollering consolidated her leading position in the Tour de France Femmes classification. The Team SD Worx-Protime leader sprinted to second place behind her compatriot Puck Pieterse in the streets of Liège. In the battle for the yellow jersey, Pieterse is now second, 22 seconds behind Vollering.

Linked race Tour de France 2024 - Linked cyclists Demi Vollering - Gekoppelde ploegleiders: Anna van der Breggen Danny Stam

With climbs including the Redoute, Les Forges and Roche-aux-Faucons, the finale was a direct copy of Liège-Bastogne-Liège. The classic that Vollering has already won twice and where she has finished third three times.

On the Còte de la Roche-aux-Faucons at 14 kilometres from the line, the decisive breakaway formed with Vollering, Pieterse, Kasia Niewiadoma. In the streets of Liège, a photo finish was needed to decide Pieterse as the winner.

‘For a few seconds I thought I had the win,’ Vollering later indicated. ‘Although I had the feeling on the line anyway that Puck had the advantage. The difference was small. Of course you're a bit disappoined then. But Puck definitely deserved this win too,’ Vollering was respectful to her young compatriot.

Vollering called the fourth stage of the Tour de France Femmes a classic version of Liège-Bastogne-Liège. ‘Not only the finale, but also with the rain and in some places even cold. I really felt we were riding a one-day race. Although of course I rode with the GC in mind. I rode to win time, but you also try to take the stage win when you can sprint for it.’

In the classification, Vollering is doing good business. The yellow jersey sits a little tighter around the defending champion's shoulders the day after her stage victory in the time trial. Vollering: ‘It is clear that Kasia and Puck are also in good shape. Who knows what Puck can do in the Alps later on, because here she impressed uphill. She climbs really strongly. It is good to gain time on other riders like Juliette Labous and Kristen Faulkner. Although at the weekend in the Alps it will be about much bigger differences than the seconds game it is now.’

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