Dutch Demi Vollering has won the second edition of the Tour de France Femmes. The 26-year-old won the overall victory in the final time trial in Pau on Sunday. After eight stages and 959.9 kilometers, Vollering had a lead of 3:03 minutes over second-placed Belgian Lotte Kopecky in the overall standings. Vollering’s compatriot and defending champion Annemiek van Vleuten had to settle for fourth place overall. The last time trial was won by Swiss European champion Marlen Reusser, who was ten seconds ahead of Vollering in 29:15 minutes over 22.6 kilometers.
Ricarda Bauernfeind, who celebrated an impressive solo victory on stage five, finished the tour in ninth place overall. The 23-year-old made a strong tour premiere and is one of the hopeful drivers for the future. “The tour went more than perfectly. That was absolutely brilliant,” said Bauernfeind of ARD. In any case, the German women presented themselves strongly. Liane Lippert also knew how to convince with her stage win on the second day and as van Vleuten’s noble helper. However, a fall on the king’s stage still bothered her. “It wasn’t so comfortable on the bike anymore. My knee and hip are bruised. I’m still very happy with my shape,” explained Lippert.
Vollering had laid the groundwork for victory on Saturday’s Tourmalet hilltop finish when she won by almost two minutes. She crowned her outstanding year with overall victory, after winning the difficult one-day races Strade Bianche, Amstel Gold Race, Fleche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège in spring. At the next Tour de France, Vollering then has a home game to start with. The tour will start in Rotterdam in 2024, and the second and third stages will also be held in the Netherlands.
