Demi Vollering continued her winning streak in stage races, winning her first women’s Tour de Suisse title.
The 27-year-old Dutchwoman won the fourth and final stage in Champagne, Switzerland on Tuesday to record her fourth race victory in less than two months.
The SD Worx-Protime rider opened up an 82-second lead over Neve Bradbury on the final day and won the event’s third stage by triumphing in a sprint finish.
Italy’s Elisa Longo Borghini overtook Bradbury to take second place, but the Australian finished second overall.
The bonus seconds for winning the stage meant that Vollering won overall by one minute and 28 seconds, with Longo Borghini two seconds behind in third place.
“I didn’t expect to win (the stage) today, but it feels great to be running again,” said Vollering, who lives and trains in Switzerland between races.
King’s Birthday Honours: Mark Cavendish given knighthood“It’s a home race in a way, so I’m very happy I could win. It’s a good feeling going into the Tour de France, because we have a lot of climbing there as well.”
“It’s always nice to win an uphill race before your big goal.”
Vollering, who is hoping to defend her Tour title in August, built a commanding lead in the general classification standings by winning the first two stages, before 22-year-old Bradbury won her first UCI stage to move into second place overall.
Tuesday’s 127.5-km route began and ended in Champagne, and most of the elevation gain occurred in the first half of the day, giving runners a chance to compete for the stage win.
But Vollering’s lead was never threatened by his general classification rivals and he caught the breakaway group with 10km remaining when Katarzyna Niewiadoma attacked.
Niewiadoma was joined by Canyon-SRAM teammate Bradbury, Lidl-Trek’s Longo Borghini and Vollering who were competing for the lead over the final 6km before yellow jersey winner Vollering pulled away for the win.
Vollering, who finished second in last year’s race behind home favourite Marlen Rouser, holds the title with victories at the Vuelta Femenina, Itzulia Women and Vuelta a Burgos in Spain.
Quebranthuesos completes its annual appointment on the calendar with more strength than ever
