While rivals struggle in Spain, Vollering's bold plans on the Finestre go badly wrong

Demi Vollering is the two-time defending champion of the Vuelta Femenina, but in 2026 she has chosen to skip the race. She returns to competition at the Giro Donne at the end of May, with the Tour de France Femmes the clear goal for her season. First came a training block in Italy — during which the European champion rather pushed her luck.

Without Vollering, FDJ-SUEZ are doing fine in Spain. Franziska Koch, the German champion who won Paris-Roubaix earlier this year, finished third on stage one and second on stage two, and claimed the red jersey in the process. Three days in, it still sits on her shoulders — though team leader Juliette Berthet has already lost significant time.

Vollering is currently in Italy, following a remarkable spring campaign. She won the Tour of Valencia, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, the Tour of Flanders, La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège — a run of victories in the spring classics that is unmatched for the 29-year-old Dutchwoman. In Italy, she is now working on her form and her climbing legs ahead of the Tour de France Femmes, which begins on 1 August.

The Italian adventure began with a stop at Mont Ventoux with her partner Jan de Voogd. "It's my first ever mountain — the first summit I've ever reached on my bike," she wrote on Instagram. The pair then pushed on to Italy to tackle the Colle delle Finestre. The legendary climb is set to be the make-or-break ascent in this year's Giro d'Italia. But is it not closed at this time of year? They wanted to find out.

Vollering ignored the sign at the foot of the climb and set off. The unpaved roads were thick with mud, and the walls of snow rose above head height. Riding was still possible — until it wasn't. Three kilometres from the summit, the road disappeared beneath a deep white blanket. The options were to turn back or press on. Vollering had no intention of turning around, so she tried.

It was in vain. After a brief struggle through the snow on foot, she conceded defeat. Back at the bottom, the damage was plain to see: her beautiful bike, her European champion's kit and her white shoes were plastered with mud. "Ask the locals next time," laughed Italian champion Elisa Longo Borghini in the comments on the video. Just another adventure to add to the collection.