Vuelta Femenina 2024: Vollering seals GC win with mountain-top victory in Valdesquí

foto: Cor VosDemi Vollering attacks with 6.5 kilometres to go on the finishing climb to Valdesquí. She solos to her second stage of the week, and also seals the GC triumph. Riejanne Markus and Elisa Long Borghini round out the final podium. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 8th stage 2024 Vuelta Femenina

1. Demi Vollering (nld)
2. Évita Muzic (fra) + 0.29
3. Riejanne Markus (nld) + 0.33
4. Pauliena Rooijakkers (nld) + 0.53
5. Ricarda Bauernfeind (ger) + 0.56
6. Juliette Labous (fra) + 1.00
7. Elisa Longo Borghini (ita) s.t.
8. Antonia Niedermaier (ger) s.t.
9. Yara Kastelijn (nld) + 1.10
10. Kim Cadzow (nzl) + 1.28

Final GC 2024 Vuelta Femenina

1. Demi Vollering (nld)
2. Riejanne Markus (nld) + 1.49
3. Elisa Longo Borghini (ita) + 2.00
4. Juliette Labous (fra) + 2.58
5. Évita Muzic (fra) + 3.15
6. Ricarda Bauernfeind (ger) + 4.33
7. Niamh Fisher-Black (nzl) + 5.14
8. Yara Kastelijn (nld) + 5.27
9. Pauliena Rooijakkers (nld) + 5.42
10. Kim Cadzow (nzl) + 6.19

Race report
The breakaway takes shape after 18 kilometres. Jelena Eric, Elena Cecchini, Brodie Chapman, Karlijn Swinkels, Abi Smith, Marianne Vos, Alessia Vigilia, Flora Perkins, Silke Smulders, Sarah Gigante, Mireia Benito, Lily Williams, and Magdeleine Vallieres open up a 2 minutes lead.

In the approach of the Puerto de la Morcuera the break is down to 12 riders. The gap has fallen below 1 minute when Sarah Gigante sets off with 40 kilometres remaining. Only Brodie Chapman and Karlijn Swinkels are able to match her move.

The three are almost reeled in when Pauliena Rooijakkers jumps free from the pach with 3.3 kilometres to climb. She overhauls the attackers and heads out alone to open up a 25 seconds lead, but she is caught before the summit.

Karlijn Swinkels attacks in the valley and she tackles the finishing climb to Valdesquí 1.15 minutes ahead of the peloton. She is caught 9 kilometres left to climb.

When Demi Vollering accelerates with 6.5 kilometres to go, Elisa Longo Borghini can’t follow the pace. The red jersey keeps pushing until she is alone in the lead.

Vollering wins the race with a commanding solo to seal the GC victory. Riejanne Markus finishes in third to move up to second place overall, while Elisa Longo Borghini rounds out the podium.

Another interesting read: route 8th stage 2024 Vuelta Femenina.