Vollering triumphs in Strade Bianche after a fairytale battle with Van der Breggen

The Strade Bianche Donne has been won by Demi Vollering. The FDJ-SUEZ leader proved to be the strongest after an epic duel with her rival Anna van der Breggen in the final moments of the race. The two riders entered the climb into Siena together, but the 28-year-old climber had the upper hand. Van der Breggen delivered an impressive second-place finish in her return to the WorldTour, while Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Visma | Lease a Bike) took third at a respectable distance.

In the stunning landscapes of Tuscany, the highly anticipated showdown between Demi Vollering and Anna van der Breggen was set to unfold once again. The two had already clashed in the Tour of Valencia, but this time in Siena, they had to contend with stronger competition. With riders like Puck Pieterse, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, and Kasia Niewiadoma on the start list, an open and thrilling race was expected.

The opening phase was chaotic, as an early breakaway was neutralized after a crash at the front. As a result, no clear lead group was formed. The peloton gradually thinned out over the challenging gravel sectors, bringing the decisive phase closer. Mischa Bredewold (SD Worx-Protime) and Eva van Agt (Visma | Lease a Bike) ignited the action, with Amanda Spratt (Lidl-Trek) joining them, forming a trio that briefly gained a gap. However, Demi Vollering had FDJ-SUEZ push a relentless pace at the front, quickly reeling them back in.

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Nasty crash Niewiadoma, also Ferrand-Prévot goes down (attacking)

Just before reaching Colle Pinzuto—one of the decisive climbs in the final circuit, tackled twice—Kasia Niewiadoma suffered a devastating crash. The Canyon//SRAM Zondacrypto leader went down hard in a corner, crashing into the guardrails. She remained on the ground in visible pain and was unable to continue the race. On Pinzuto, Femke Gerritse (SD Worx-Protime) launched an attack but was caught on the following sector—Le Tolfe, possibly an even more demanding climb.

After cresting the climb, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot launched an attack. The Visma | Lease a Bike rider was joined by Évita Muzic (FDJ-SUEZ), Yara Kasteleijn (Fenix-Deceuninck), Mavi García (Liv AlUla-Jayco), Marte Edseth (Uno-X Mobility), Kimberley Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal), and Gerritse once again. With Ferrand-Prévot taking big risks on the descents, the group quickly built a solid lead. However, the Frenchwoman paid the price when she slipped and crashed on a downhill section. She got up quickly and managed to rejoin the break, but suffered some abrasions in the process.

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Vollering chases on the Colle Pinzuto

The leading seven had built up a nearly two-minute lead, and with 25 kilometers to go, things were looking very promising for them. But behind, Vollering’s camp decided to pick up the pace. Before the final ascent of Colle Pinzuto, the gap was suddenly slashed by over a minute, thanks to the French champion Juliette Labous, who led a powerful chase. It was a perfect lead-out, setting up the inevitable attack. Puck Pieterse immediately followed, while Van der Breggen hesitated slightly but eventually managed to bridge across. Within moments, a group of six favorites had closed the gap to the front group.

It wasn’t just Pieterse and Van der Breggen who made the move—Labous, Niamh Fisher-Black, and Noemi Rüegg (EF Education-Oatly) also managed to stay in touch. This created a 12-rider leading group, heading towards Le Tolfe, the final gravel climb of the day. On the first gravel section, Van der Breggen attacked, gaining a small gap. But on the steepest slopes, the gap was closed, and Vollering countered immediately. Her former team leader was the only one able to follow. The finale turned into a fairy-tale showdown.

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Vollering vs. Van der Breggen: A thrilling battle

The two powerhouses were by far the strongest. Ferrand-Prévot, Pieterse, and the others couldn’t keep up—the gap quickly grew to half a minute. At first, Van der Breggen refused to take turns at the front, but when it became clear that their lead was only increasing, she decided to contribute to the pace-setting. The two rivals worked together towards the finish, but with the steep final climb in Siena approaching, it was only a matter of time before the real battle began.

The duo reached the brutally steep Via Santa Caterina with a lead of over a minute and a half. Behind them, the chasing group hesitated, with FDJ-SUEZ controlling the pace through Labous and Muzic. As they hit the final climb, Van der Breggen initially stayed on Vollering’s wheel, letting her set the pace. But on the steepest sections, she made her move, launching a long, sustained effort. However, Vollering had more left in the tank—she exploded away from her former team leader on the steepest ramps, securing her second Strade Bianche victory. Van der Breggen put in a valiant effort to take an impressive second place.

Results Strade Bianche women 2025

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