Demi Vollering Triumphs in Unconventional Women's Giro d'Italia Stage
Demi Vollering secured victory in a dramatically altered queen stage of the women's Giro d'Italia on Saturday. The originally planned summit finish in Sestriere was cut short by 28 kilometers due to safety concerns regarding an unstable slab of ice threatening the route. The race organizers opted to move the finish line one kilometer below the Colle delle Finestre after clearing ice from an avalanche that had occurred shortly before the riders entered the Italian Alps. In a thrilling four-way sprint, Vollering, representing FDJ United–Suez, emerged victorious, marking her second stage win of the competition. Vollering reflected on the unusual circumstances, stating, "It was strange because the Finestre was suddenly the final climb. It was the weirdest finish line of my life, but I'm very happy to take the win." Despite the victory, Anna van der Breggen of Team SD Worx–Protime maintained her lead in the overall standings, holding onto the pink jersey as the race heads into its final stage. The upcoming stage spans over 145 kilometers around Saluzzo, located at the foot of the Alps, where Vollering has narrowed Van der Breggen's lead to 49 seconds. Vollering expressed her determination, saying, "We hoped that we could get closer to the maglia rosa today. Tomorrow's stage is not as hard as today's, but we will make a plan and think about how to try to win the Giro."
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-06-06