Vollering wins European road race, her first major international title
Demi Vollering won the elite women's European Championship road race on Saturday after 36 km solo in France's hilly Ardèche region.
After the Dutchwoman attacked the small selection, Kasia Niewiadoma (Poland) set off in pursuit with Vollering's compatriot Anna van der Breggen for company. Despite the Pole's best efforts, Vollering was unstoppable, ultimately riding away to victory by a margin of a minute 18 seconds.
Niewiadoma snatched silver on the run-in, with Van der Breggen rounding out the podium. Elise Chabbey (Switzerland) then led the rest of the peloton home in dribs and drabs, French contenders Juliette Labous and Cédrine Kerbaol finishing sixth and ninth, and pre-race favourite Elisa Longo Borghini settling for tenth.
Brief results
- Demi Vollering (Netherlands) 2:57:53
- Kasia Niewiadoma (Poland) +1:18
- Anna van der Breggen (Netherlands) +1:24
- Elise Chabbey (Switzerland) +2:31
- Franziska Koch (Germany) "
