Vuelta Femenina 2023: Vollering wins thriller finale, Van Vleuten takes GC

image: Cor VosDemi Vollering and Gaia Realini drop race leader Annemiek van Vleuten inside the last 6 kilometres of the finish climb to the Lakes of Covadonga. Vollering gives it all and wins the race, while Van Vleuten does the same to win the GC 9 seconds ahead of her compatriot. Realini rounds out the podium. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 7th stage 2023 Vuelta Femenina

1. Demi Vollering (nld)
2. Gaia Realini (ita) + 0.11
3. Annemiek van Vleuten (nld) + 0.56
4. Évita Muzic (fra) + 1.59
5. Ricarda Bauernfeind (ger) + 2.00
6. Erica Magnaldi (ita) + 2.59
7. Riejanne Markus (nld) + 3.05
8. Alena Ivanchenko (rus) + 3.12
9. Juliette Labous (fra) + 3.21
10. Marta Cavalli (fra) + 3.40

Final GC 2023 Vuelta Femenina
1. Annemiek van Vleuten (nld)
2. Demi Vollering (nld) + 0.09
3. Gaia Realini (ita) + 2.41
4. Riejanne Markus (nld) + 3.36
5. Ricarda Bauernfeind (ger) + 3.53
6. Évita Muzic (fra) + 4.24
7. Juliette Labous (fra) + 4.27
8. Erica Magnaldi (ita) + 4.46
9. Mavi García (spa) + 6.31
10. Kasia Niewiadoma (pol) + 7.22

Race report
Gladys Verhulst, Kathrin Hammes and Margot Pompanon join forces in the first 10 kilometres. The trio opens up a 1 minute lead before they are brought back on La Collada Moandi.

SD Worx sets the pace in the climb. The first group is down to Annemiek van Vleuten, Demi Vollering, Riejanne Markus, Niamh Fisher-Black, Gaia Realini, Amanda Spratt, Ricarda Bauernfeind, Kasia Niewiadoma, Marta Cavalli, Évita Muzic, Mikayla Harvey, Erica Magnaldi, Silvia Persico and Mavi García at the summit. Marlen Reusser and Loes Adegeest rejoin them in the descent.

Niewiadoma jumps clear and Reusser tracks her down. The two open up a gap of over 1 minute, while several riders rejoin the group van Vleuten.

Niewiadamona and Reusser are caught in the run-up to the finish climb.

Demi Vollering starts setting a fast pace early in the ascent. Only Annemiek van Vleuten and Gaia Realini follow her wheel inside the last 6 kilometres. Then Realini moves to the front and Van Vleuten loses contact.

Realini and Vollering work together well, while Van Vleuten loses ground metre for metre…

Vollering goes alone in a short descent and flies to the line. She wins the race, but it’s not enough for the GC triumph. Van Vleuten crosses the line 56 seconds later, which is enough to take home the maillot rojo.

Another interesting read: route 7th stage 2023 Vuelta Femenina.