Demi Vollering of Team SD Worx – Protime emerged victorious in Stage 5 of La Vuelta Femenina, taking the lead in the general classification with a significant 31-second gap over her rivals. Vollering, a seasoned rider who has won the Tour de France Femmes in 2023, made a decisive move on the final climb of the day to secure the stage win. Reflecting on her performance, Vollering expressed her happiness at finally achieving a race win in 2024, as well as her goal of winning in the Dutch champion’s jersey. She expressed her desire to maintain the red leader’s jersey throughout the remainder of the race.
Marianne Vos, the previous GC leader, slipped to ninth place after Stage 5 but managed to move up to first in the points classification. Lourdes Oyarbide impressed with a solo attack that earned her the combativity jersey, showcasing her strength on the climbs. The race saw several attacks and breakaway attempts, with Amber Kraak and her FDJ-SUEZ team putting in a notable effort to bridge the gaps. Aniek van Alphen led a rapid descent before the final climb, setting the stage for the decisive moments ahead.
Karlijn Swinkels, the Queen of the Mountains jersey holder, made a strong effort on the climbs and added points to her tally amidst the challenging terrain. Vollering’s teammate, Marlen Reusser, made an impactful attack to lead the bunch and set the pace for the peloton. As the race reached its climax, Swinkels launched an attack to go clear from the group, but Vollering’s relentless pace proved too much for her rivals. With a powerful acceleration in the final kilometer, Vollering left her competitors behind and crossed the finish line in solo victory.
The stage saw thrilling battles for positions, with Yara Kastelijn and Elisa Longo Borghini finishing in second and third place behind Vollering. Evita Muzic, Sarah Gigante, and Ricarda Bauernfeind also put in strong performances in the demanding stage. With Vollering now leading the GC, the focus shifts to Stage 6, another mountain stage featuring a challenging finish at La Laguna Negra. As Vollering aims to maintain her lead, the competition is expected to intensify, with riders vying for stage victories and valuable points in the classifications. Cycling fans can catch all the action from the cycling season, including the Grand Tours, live on discovery+.
