A glimpse into the future? Bizarre SD Worx dominance results in fierce sprint between Kopecky and Vollering

Amid two treacherous hill stages, the first of which was won by Elisa Balsamo, Saturday saw a classic mountain stage on the line. The chance to gain distance from other favorites for those who had a good day. The stage was 101 kilometers long and led through a 9.5-kilometer climb at 8.2% average to Vercorin. Who was up for this? Demi Vollering, perhaps?

With Elisa Balsamo in the yellow jersey, the ladies departed around noon. It took a long time before there was a breakaway; eventually, a group of four ladies successfully broke out. Sofia Bertizzolo (UAE Team ADQ), Giada Borghesi (Human Powered Health), Noelle Ingold, and Jasmin Liechti (both from the Swiss selection) broke away after 30 kilometers. They stayed within a shot of the peloton all the time, where people were already thinking about the final climb.

However, the fairy tale did not last long for the foursome; at thirty kilometers from the finish, they were caught. On the final climb, which soon loomed, Ashleigh Moolman tried to throw up some ladies with an attack. That succeeded, but the big names were not taken by surprise. After this, there was a strong lead for several kilometers, but nobody dared to accelerate.

The first real victims fell five kilometers before the finish line. Paulina Rooijakkers had to let go while Vollering got more and more exhausted. Lotte Kopecky also seemed to keep up quickly, as did Juliette Labous and Gaia Realini. The Yellow jersey was unloaded by then. The race went wild when Niamh Fisher-Black accelerated in the lead. Only Kopecky, Vollering, Realini, and Mavi Garcia could keep up with her pace.

In time, the first three left, Garcia had to let go. There was despair; however, how did Kopecky and Vollering continue? Realini sat with the three SD Worx ladies, and a sur place emerged. Curious images, Garcia returned in an instant. However, the Italian accelerated one more time. Vollering countered, entering the final kilometer. We saw a battle between the two teammates as the world champion returned. Vollering pulled the sprint, and it became close: she was stronger than the Belgian. A hot battle in Switzerland. The two seemed to be opponents rather than teammates.... Realini finished third at an appropriate distance.