Vollering takes yellow jersey

By Joel Kavanagh — 9 August 2026 — 3 min read

Vollering takes yellow jersey

Demi Vollering has taken the overall lead in the Tour de France Femmes, gaining an eight-second advantage over Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney. This shift occurred after Vollering launched an attack in the hills near Nice, with just one stage remaining in the race. The move saw Vollering secure her fifth stage victory in the Tour Femmes and don the yellow jersey for the fifth time.

The decisive moment came on the final ascent of the Cote de la Ginestière. Following a rapid descent, Vollering extended her lead on the straight road leading to the finish line on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. Vollering expressed her satisfaction with regaining the yellow jersey, stating her intention to do everything possible to maintain it during the final stage.

The FDJ United-Suez rider had previously expressed regret over not mounting a more significant challenge to Niewiadoma-Phinney during the summit finish to Mont Ventoux on Friday.

Allegations of unfair play

Following the stage, Niewiadoma-Phinney criticised the tactics employed by Vollering’s team, specifically mentioning teammate Célia Gery. Niewiadoma-Phinney alleged that Gery intentionally blocked her against the barriers during the climb, forcing her to stop pedalling. She described these actions as “childish” and stated that she had lost respect for the team due to the incident.

Vollering, however, stated she did not witness the alleged incident, noting that it occurred behind her. She suggested that Gery likely did not see Niewiadoma-Phinney and did not act intentionally. Race commissaires reportedly reviewed the incident after the stage.

Canyon-SRAM sports director Rolf Aldag commented on the incident, suggesting that if Niewiadoma-Phinney had been able to follow Vollering’s wheel without impedance, the outcome of the stage and the general classification might have been different. He noted that closing the gap to Vollering, who he described as “the best in the world,” required a significant effort that may have affected Niewiadoma-Phinney’s freshness.

Despite the allegations, the stage communique did not include any penalty, fine, or warning for Gery. Aldag acknowledged the outcome, stating, “we have to accept it.”

Final stage looms with tight margins

The stage was also marked by an early two-rider breakaway involving Maëva Squiban and Loes Adegeest. Squiban, a two-time stage winner in the previous year’s race, crashed on a left-hand bend during the descent of the Côte de Colomars, leading to her being reabsorbed by the peloton.

The final stage of the Tour de France Femmes will take place on Sunday, centred around Nice. It will feature four climbs of the Col d’Eze. With only an eight-second difference separating Vollering and Niewiadoma-Phinney, every second will be crucial.

Aldag expressed confidence in Niewiadoma-Phinney’s ability to contend for the win on the final day, stating that if she has the legs, she will try.

Meanwhile, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s title defence concluded with her withdrawal from the race. Her team announced on social media that she was not feeling well and would not start stage eight after consulting with medical staff. Her trainer, Rutger Tijssen, noted that signals of her struggles were evident as early as stage three.

Source: theguardian.com