Vollering Dominates on the Queen Stage | La Vuelta Femenina Stage 8 2024

Demi Vollering again proved that she is a specialist on long and hard climbing days, securing another convincing victory on the toughest mountain stage in La Vuelta Femenina 2024.

It was the hardest mountain day in WorldTour racing so far this season with two long climbs, which suited the race leader Demi Vollering. The Tour de France champion excels on hard stages, and she was unbeatable also today. On the first big climb of the day Puerto de la Morcuera (9.10 km, 6.95%), the 20-25 rider peloton pushed 4.74 ᵉW/Kg for 28:23 min. Pauliena Rooijakkers attacked but was caught, while Muzic won the KOM sprint, being 5 seconds faster than the peloton.

The final climb was the mighty Puerto de Cotos (9.20 km, 5.83%). FDJ-SUEZ was pacing for a long time with Grace Brown in a big headwind. After 60% of the climb was done, Vollering was feeling great and launched a powerful attack in a brief tailwind section, dropping everyone in the GC group.

Vollering did another great performance, pushing 5.29 ᵉW/Kg for 24:30 min on Puerto de Cotos. With a faster first half, her performance could have been even more impressive. Riejanne Markus was the second most powerful on the climb with 5.05 ᵉW/Kg for 25:12 min, losing 42 seconds on the climb. Muzic, Bauernfeind, Rooijakkers, Longo Borghini, Labous, Niedermaier and Kastelijn all pushed from 4.91 to 4.98 ᵉW/Kg.

Vollering in the final flat kilometres lost a bit of time but still won the stage and secured her first La Vuelta victory after the unlucky Pee Gate a year ago. Markus with a fantastic performance in the last stage, climbed up to second place, while Evita Muzic after an unsuccessful crosswind stage but strong climbing performances finished 5th in the GC.

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