RACE REPORT: The final stage of the 2026 Tour de France Femmes wasn’t about surviving – it was about finishing the job. Demi Vollering began the day hunting the yellow jersey, while Kasia Niewiadoma had one mission: defend it over four brutal ascents of the Col d’Èze above Nice. What followed was a fitting finale to an outstanding Tour, with the race’s two strongest riders trading attacks until Vollering finally landed the decisive blow to claim both the stage victory and her second Tour de France Femmes title.
PEZ Tour de France Femmes Avec Zwift 2026 Race Coverage is presented by FACTOR Bikes
Four Climbs to Decide the Tour
The organisers left nothing to chance.
The peloton tackled the Col d’Èze three times from its classic western approach (7.7km at 5.9%) before one final ascent via the steeper Chemin du Vinaigrier (6km at 7.6%). From the summit, less than 15 kilometres remained to the finish in Nice.
It was the perfect stage to decide the biggest race in women’s cycling.
Early Moves, No Panic
The first trip over the Col d’Èze saw several tentative attacks, but none gained any real advantage. The GC contenders were content to watch the race unfold while the repeated climbing steadily reduced the size of the peloton.
Between the first and second ascents, Paula Ostiz (Movistar) and Malwina Mul (Cofidis) escaped clear and collected the intermediate sprint. Behind them, Lorena Wiebes comfortably secured enough points to lock up the green jersey.
Bäckstedt Tears the Race Apart
The breakaway’s freedom ended on the second ascent.
Then Zoë Bäckstedt lit the fuse.
Working selflessly for yellow jersey Kasia Niewiadoma, the young Brit drove an unrelenting tempo that quickly shattered the peloton. By halfway up the climb only sixteen riders remained in contention, and by the summit even more had been shelled out the back—including Célia Gery and third-placed Marlen Reusser.
The Swiss rider was already fighting to save her podium.
Reusser’s Misfortune
Despite struggling on the climbs, Reusser still held nearly two minutes over Elisa Longo Borghini in the battle for third overall.
Then disaster struck.
The Movistar rider crashed on the descent and spent valuable time getting herself going again. Although teammates waited for her, it quickly became apparent that her podium hopes had disappeared with the fall.
Her Tour was effectively over.
Holmgren Rolls the Dice
With Bäckstedt’s heroic turn complete, Antonia Niedermaier took over pacing duties, although at a noticeably steadier rhythm.
The lull invited an attack.
Canadian sensation Isabella Holmgren slipped clear and quickly opened close to a minute.
Behind, Juliette Berthet moved to the front for Vollering, while Paula Blasi briefly accelerated in an effort to force the pace. But after looking back and seeing teammate Elisa Longo Borghini struggling, the Spaniard wisely eased off.
Holmgren pressed on alone, but the final showdown was still to come.
The Final Climb
Holmgren reached the foot of the final ascent with just over thirty seconds in hand.
It wasn’t enough.
Niedermaier steadily reeled the Canadian back, making the catch with four kilometres still remaining on the steepest section of the Chemin du Vinaigrier.
Everyone knew what was coming next.
Vollering Answers Every Question
Niewiadoma struck first.
The defending yellow jersey attacked exactly where expected, hoping to claw back the precious eight seconds that separated her from overall victory.
Vollering never left her wheel.
Each acceleration was matched.
Each surge answered immediately.
Eventually the Dutchwoman came around and increased the tempo herself. For a moment Niewiadoma appeared in difficulty, but she dug deep and clawed her way back to the front.
Then Vollering launched another attack.
Still Niewiadoma held firm.
The two climbed almost inseparable, trading turns as though connected by an invisible elastic band.
Until 800 metres from the summit.
The Winning Move
Vollering accelerated one final time.
This time there was no answer.
Niewiadoma finally cracked.
By the summit Vollering had already opened twenty seconds, and with the plateau and twisting descent into Nice still to come, the race leader smelled victory.
Behind, Niewiadoma faded into the chasing group containing Elisa Longo Borghini, Antonia Niedermaier, Paula Blasi, Isabella Holmgren and Niamh Fisher-Black.
Vollering, meanwhile, never looked back.
She continued extending her advantage all the way to Nice, crossing the finish line alone to win the stage and seal her second Tour de France Femmes title—adding another yellow jersey to the one she first claimed in 2023.
More than a minute later, Paula Blasi won the sprint for second from the chase group, but the spotlight belonged entirely to Vollering.
Over nine unforgettable days, the Tour had delivered drama from start to finish.
On the final climb above Nice, Demi Vollering delivered the decisive attack that settled everything.
Tour de France Femmes Avec Zwift 2026 Stage 9 Results
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