A movie-worthy thriller in Canada crowns Demi Vollering! The Dutch superstar claims the World Title and completes a historic triple crown after her Giro d'Italia and Tour de France victories!
The longest Women's World Championship in history (180 km and 2,600 meters of elevation) came alive on the eight final laps around the Voie Camillien-Houde climb (1.8 km at 8%). Following an early breakaway of five riders, the race turned upside down 95 km from the finish after a massive crash: defending world champion Magdeleine Vallieres and Vuelta winner Paula Blasi were forced to retire. Kim Le Court also went down.
Entering lap four an unusually compact Team Netherlands reeled in the remaining attackers: Berg Edseth and Quinn. With four laps to go Squiban attacked over the ascent but the race exploded in the following lap: Puck Pieterse launched a devastating pace on the climb, setting up Demi Vollering's attack. Initially, only Elisa Longo Borghini could hang onto the Dutch phenom's wheel before Vollering went clear solo, flying past Squiban.
On the penultimate lap, relentless attacks from Longo Borghini and Kasia Niewiadoma blew the chase group apart, allowing them to bridge back to the front alongside Juliette Berthet. Longo Borghini went all-in before the bell lap, opening up a 10-second gap. However, on the final ascent, Vollering reignited the engines: dragging Niewiadoma with her, the Dutchwoman caught the Italian rider just 400 meters from the summit and eventually dropping her near the top.
The final kilometers were pure drama: Longo Borghini fought tooth and nail to stay in touch with the front as tactical hesitation between Vollering and Niewiadoma her gap fluctuated between 5 and 15 seconds. On the final uphill straight, the Italian and Marlen Reusser, author of an incredible comeback, almost surged back onto their back wheels. At 150m to go, however Niewiadoma opened the sprint, but struck by cramps, she was ultimately overpowered by an unstoppable Vollering! Longo Borghini settled for third place, keeping Reusser behind.