Demi Vollering Dominates in Valencia, Signaling Continued Reign in Women’s Cycling
Demi Vollering (FDJ United-SUEZ) kicked off her title defense at the Setmana Ciclista Volta Femenina de la Comunitat Valenciana with a commanding solo victory in Gandia. The European road champion launched a decisive attack on the Alt de Barx, finishing 42 seconds ahead of the chasing pack – a significant increase from her 29-second lead at the same stage last year.
A Familiar Tactic, A Stronger Performance
Vollering’s winning move came with 18.7km remaining, distancing Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto) and demonstrating a clear step up in her performance. Despite making her move at the same point as in 2025, Vollering noted the race unfolded differently, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and adapting to changing conditions.
“You can never do it exactly the same, because too you need your teammates, of course and all the dedication from them,” Vollering stated. “They did their amazing job with everything they could do.”
Challenging Conditions and a Champion’s Resolve
The stage faced potential cancellation due to strong winds, but a vote among riders and organizers, championed by Vollering, allowed the race to proceed. Vollering assessed that while the wind was strong, it wasn’t strong enough to cause echelons or significantly disrupt the race.
The Chase Group and General Classification Standings
Maëva Squiban (UAE Team ADQ) secured second place after winning a sprint from a nine-rider chase group. Czech champion Viktória Chladoňová (Visma-Lease a Bike) edged out Thalita de Jong (Human Powered Health) for third.
Vollering now leads the general classification (GC) with a 56-second advantage over Squiban, and Chladoňová sits in third, 58 seconds behind.
Stage Dynamics: From Neutralization to Decisive Attack
The opening stage saw a neutralized start due to the windy conditions. Action began to intensify in the latter half of the 121-kilometre stage, with Anne Henderson (Lidl-Trek) attempting a breakaway on the Alt de Barxeta before Vollering’s decisive attack on the final climb, the Alt de Barx.
FDJ-SUEZ controlled the pace leading into the final ascent, setting the stage for Vollering’s winning move. Niedermaier briefly joined Vollering, but couldn’t sustain the pace as the champion powered to a solo victory.
Setmana Ciclista: A Key Event in the Women’s WorldTour
The Setmana Ciclista Volta Femenina de la Comunitat Valenciana has established itself as a significant event in the women’s cycling calendar. Vollering’s victory underscores her status as a top contender in the sport, having previously won the Tour de France in 2023 and La Vuelta in both 2024 and 2025.
Results
FAQ
Q: Where did Demi Vollering win this stage?
A: Demi Vollering won the stage in Gandia, Spain.
Q: What team does Demi Vollering ride for?
A: Demi Vollering rides for FDJ United-SUEZ.
Q: How far ahead of the second-place rider did Vollering finish?
A: Vollering finished 42 seconds ahead of Maëva Squiban.
Q: What were the challenging conditions during the race?
A: Strong winds threatened the stage, but a vote allowed the race to proceed.
Did you know? Demi Vollering won the opening stage of the Setmana Ciclista Volta Femenina de la Comunitat Valenciana for the second year in a row.
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