Demi Vollering of the Netherlands celebrated her second victory at the Women’s Tour de France in Nice on Sunday, August 9, 2026. The Dutch athlete stood on the podium holding back tears as the national anthem was played. Her win followed a dominant performance that extended her lead over Polish competitor Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney, securing a gap of 1 minute and 18 seconds over the 2024 champion.
Vollering lifted her bike in a triumphant gesture after crossing the finish line. Although Niewiadoma-Phinney started the final stage only eight seconds behind, Vollering’s stage victory earned her a time bonus. As the anthem concluded, Vollering showed her emotions, a testament to her remarkable achievement.
“It’s not only about winning the Tour de France. It’s about living this life and working hard with passionate people,” Vollering expressed. “Go chase the dreams and don’t let anyone stop you.”
Vollering celebrated her impending victory as she neared the finish line, showcasing her mental strength. Reflecting on her journey, she acknowledged her first-ever victory in the yellow jersey and the collective effort that led to her success.
The stage ended with Vollering 1 minute and 4 seconds ahead of Paula Blasi Cairol from Spain and a smiling, albeit tired, Niewiadoma-Phinney. Italy’s Elisa Longo Borghini finished third overall, with Marlen Reusser falling back due to a crash. Reusser ended up 14th at nearly 26 minutes behind.
On the final climb, Niewiadoma-Phinney faced an uphill battle with Vollering close behind, ultimately unable to apply pressure. Vollering attacked 800 meters from the summit, distancing herself from her competitors as she did in the previous stage to reclaim the lead.
Two years prior, Vollering narrowly missed victory by four seconds on the final stage against Niewiadoma-Phinney, an oversight her current triumph rectified. Vollering has now clinched five Grand Tour titles, including two Spanish Vuelta and one Giro d’Italia, joining Annemiek van Vleuten as one of the few women to win all three Grand Tours.
“I still have a lot of dreams,” Vollering noted, “on and off the bike.”
The race featured four climbs on Sunday. The first three climbs measured 7.7 kilometers each with an average gradient of 5.9%. However, the final ascent varied with a shorter 6-kilometer route and a steeper gradient averaging 7.6%, peaking at 12%. Vollering’s lead remained unwavering despite Niewiadoma-Phinney’s solo attack on Mont Ventoux in the previous stage.