European Championships, Demi Vollering gold in women’s Élite

The Dutch domination among the Élite women at the European Championships continues: Demi Vollering wins her ninth title out of ten editions of the race for the Netherlands, the only time they did not take the top step of the podium was in 2018, when Marta Bastianelli triumphed.

After a 37-kilometer solo breakaway, Vollering won her first continental title 1’18” ahead of Poland’s Katarzyna Niewiadoma and 1’24” ahead of compatriot Anna van der Breggen. Elisa Longo Borghini, first of the Italians, finished in 10th place, 4’42” from the winner.

On the French Drome Ardeche course, the race gets into full swing on the Saint-Romain-de-Lerps climb with 40 kilometers to go. Vollering attacks, Longo Borghini, Niewiadoma and Van der Breggen respond. At a new spurt by the Dutchwoman, she tries to hold the wheels of the Azzurra, who, however, plants herself, while Vollering sprints toward the triumph.

“I tried to follow Vollering but suddenly the legs wouldn’t go. I simply went slow today, the legs were empty,” Longo Borghini said. Tomorrow, close with the men’s Elite road race, 202.5 km with a scheduled start at 11:45 a.m. For Italy in the race Alberto Bettiol, Marco Frigo, Gianmarco Garofoli, Christian Scaroni and Diego Ulissi.