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Demi Vollering clinched her first Women’s Tour de Suisse title in style to extend her winning streak in stage races.<\/b><\/p>\n
The Dutchwoman, 27, made it four race victories in less than two months by winning the fourth and final stage in Champagne, Switzerland on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The SD Worx-Protime rider had an 82-second advantage over Neve Bradbury going into the final day and prevailed in a sprint finish to claim her third stage win of the event.<\/p>\n
Italy’s Elisa Longo Borghini edged out Bradbury for second on the day, but the Australian finished runner-up overall.<\/p>\n
Bonus seconds for winning the stage meant Vollering won overall by one minute and 28 seconds, with Longo Borghini two seconds further back in third.<\/p>\n
“I didn’t expect to win [the stage] today, but it was really nice to sprint again,” said Vollering, who lives and trains in Switzerland between races.<\/p>\n
“It’s kind of a home race, so I’m really happy that I could win. It’s a good feeling towards the Tour de France because we have a lot of climbing there also. <\/p>\n
“It’s always good to win climbing races before your big goal.”<\/p>\n
Vollering, who hopes to defend her Tour title in August, built a commanding lead in the general classification standings by winning the first two stages before Bradbury, 22, claimed her first UCI stage win to move into second overall.<\/p>\n
Tuesday’s 127.5km route started and ended in Champagne, and with most of the elevation gain coming in the first part of the day it offered a chance for the sprinters to compete for the stage win.<\/p>\n
But Vollering’s lead never came under threat from her general classification rivals and they caught the breakaway group with 10km remaining, when Katarzyna Niewiadoma attacked.<\/p>\n
Niewiadoma was joined by Canyon-SRAM team-mate Bradbury, Lidl-Trek’s Longo Borghini and Vollering in vying for the front over the last 6km, before the yellow jersey holder edged to victory.<\/p>\n
Vollering, who was second to home favourite Marlen Reusser in last year’s race, adds this title to victories at the Vuelta Femenina, Itzulia Women and Vuelta a Burgos – all in Spain.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n