Superb solo finish gives Vollering third Liège victory
April 26 th 2026 - 17:55
The 10th edition of Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes saw Demi Vollering (FDJ United - Suez) become the first three-time winner of the race as she attacked on the Côte de La Redoute and rode solo for 34km to the finish line. After also winning La Flèche Wallonne Femmes midweek, Vollering was again far too strong for her rivals, reaching the finish on Quai des Ardennes a significant 1’28” margin ahead of Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech) and Kasia Niewiadoma Phinney (Canyon//Sram zondacrypto), who completed the podium. The 2017 and 2018 winner Anna van der Breggen (Team SD Worx – Protime) finished fourth, crossing the line just behind Niewiadoma, whilst the top five was rounded out by Paula Blasi (UAE Team ADQ), after a great week for the Spanish rider.
Starting from Bastogne
The official start to the race was given at 1.32 pm after a 4.8 km parade out of Bastogne, with 118 starting riders on the road. There were several early breakaway attempts, but they were all quickly neutralised. The bunch was therefore all together as the climb of the Col de Haussire (Km 28.9, 3.9 km at 6.8%) was tackled for the first time ever in the Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes race.
The attacks continue
A strong group of five riders pulled clear on the Col de Haussire ascent, comprising Elise Chabbey (FDJ United - Suez), Sara Casasola (Fenix - Premier Tech), Nienke Vinke (SD Worx-Protime), Femke De Vries (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Riejanne Markus (Lidl Trek), with Swiss rider Chabbey leading them over the summit. Within four kilometres of the Col de Haussire, however, the bunch had caught them. Shortly afterwards, Femke Gerritse (Team SD Worx - Protime) attacked just after km 40 and soon created a 20" gap, increasing her lead to 2’10” by km 50.
Into the climbs
At the foot of the Côte de Wanne climb (Km 67.7, 3.6 km at 5.1%) Gerritse was still two minutes ahead, but Julie Bego (Cofidis Women Team) joined Lauren Dickson (FDJ United - Suez) on the counter-attack and they got within 55" of the leader of the race on the ascent, before they were caught again by the bunch on the descent. At the top of the third climb of the day (Km 74.2: Côte de Stockeu - 1 km at 12.5%) the peloton had all but caught Gerritse, whose lead had diminished to just 5”, then as the bunch climbed the Côte de la Haute-Levée (2.2 km at 7.5%) the breakaway rider was finally reeled in.
Relentless intensity
On the Col du Rosier climb (Km 92.7, 4.4 km at 5.9%) several big-name riders, including Mischa Bredewold (Team SD Worx – Protime) and Evita Muzic (FDJ United – SUEZ) were distanced, but they rejoined the main group for the ascent of Col du Maquisard (Km 105.2, 2.4 km at 5.7%). On both the Col du Maquisard (Km 105.2, 2.4 km at 5.7%) and the Côte de Desnié (Km 109.3, 1.5 km at 8.1%) Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Team Visma - Lease a Bike) was seen setting the pace at the front of the peloton.
Seven riders go clear
At the summit of the Côte de Desnié Maeva Squiban (UAE Team ADQ) attacked and Juliette Berthet, Elise Chabbey (FDJ United - Suez), Femke De Vries (Visma-Lease a Bike), Noemi Rüegg (EF Education-Oatly), Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon//Sram zondacrypto) and Isabella Holmgren (Lidl-Trek) followed her, the seven-strong group soon building a 40” lead. But with 36.5 km to go as the race went through Sougne Remouchamps, before the Côte de La Redoute (Km 122, 1.6 km at 9.4%), the pack had caught them.
Vollering attacks on La Redoute
On La Redoute Vollering launched an attack 570 m from the summit, topping the climb alone, with the peloton exploding behind her. Vollering continued her effort on the descent with the likes of Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech), Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon//Sram zondacrypto) and Isabella Holmgren (Lidl - Trek) the three riders closest to her in the chase at 23" with 29 km remaining, as Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl - Trek) was unable to stay with them. Youngster Holmgren would later also drop from the group, to be replaced by the more experienced Anna van der Breggen (Team SD Worx – Protime) in the final chase, although none of them could match the race leader.
Dutch star so strong
Vollering impressively powered on solo over Côte des Forges (Km 132.7, 1.3 km at 7.8%) and Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons (Km 142.6, 1.3 km at 11%) to cruise into Liège with a big advantage at the front, enjoying the acclaim from the huge crowds along the Quai des Ardennes. She sealed the win in style to round off a great spring, on the back of her recent victories at La Flèche Wallonne Femmes and Tour of Flanders.
