Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez) struck the first major blow in the Tour de France Femmes on stage 5, bridging a decisive gap on the final climb to Belleville-en-Beaujolais and winning a three-way sprint against Kasia Niewiadoma and race leader Marlen Reusser, according to race reports.
Vollering Strikes First in Beaujolais Finale
The 140-kilometer semi-mountain stage from Mâcon to Belleville-en-Beaujolais shattered in the finale on the steep slopes of the Mont Brouilly. Vollering launched multiple attacks on the penultimate climb over 30 kilometers from the finish, shedding title defender Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Anna van der Breggen, according to race broadcasts. Only Marlen Reusser and Kasia Niewiadoma could match the fierce acceleration, eventually forming a elite leading trio that crested the final hills together.
“I would like to give credit to Demi, she was courageous and took the race into her hands,” race leader Marlen Reusser said, according to post-race interviews. Reusser defended her yellow jersey tenaciously through the technical descents and grape-vine-lined roads, ultimately finishing second on the stage behind Vollering.
Niewiadoma’s Early Sprint and Tactical Fall-out
Entering the final kilometers, the three leaders engaged in tactical maneuvering. Niewiadoma caught the group off guard with an exceptionally early sprint from distance. “I thought the victory was in the bag, I knew I just had to give everything to the finish line without looking back, and then I saw the wheel coming along the right,” Niewiadoma said, according to stage reports. Vollering hesitated briefly before launching her chase, overhauling the Polish rider just before the line to secure the stage win and four crucial bonus seconds.
With the dust settling in the general classification, Reusser retains the yellow jersey, while Vollering moves to within 12 seconds. Niewiadoma sits third overall at 1 minute and 17 seconds, cementing a clear separation between the top three contenders and the rest of the peloton.
Contender Disappointments and GC Shakeup
Defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and veteran Anna van der Breggen struggled significantly on the penultimate climb, dropping more than two and a half minutes behind the leaders. According to race analysis, Ferrand-Prévot now trails leader Marlen Reusser by five minutes, effectively ending her defense of the yellow jersey alongside the UAE-team block. Meanwhile, Justine Ghekiere finished as the top Belgian rider in 20th place after executing team tactics early in the breakaway to support teammate Kim Le Court.
Did you know?
Stage 5 covered a total distance of 140 kilometers through the Beaujolais wine region, featuring grueling short climbs designed to test general classification favorites ahead of the looming ascents of the Mont Ventoux.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won stage 5 of the Tour de France Femmes?
Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez) won the fifth stage after out-sprinting Kasia Niewiadoma and Marlen Reusser in Belleville-en-Beaujolais.
Who currently wears the yellow jersey?
Marlen Reusser maintains her position as the overall race leader, with Demi Vollering sitting just 12 seconds behind her in the general classification.
How far behind are the previous favorites like Pauline Ferrand-Prévot?
Following a difficult day on the climbs, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Anna van der Breggen lost over two and a half minutes on the stage, putting them roughly five minutes down on the race leader.
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