Demi Vollering claimed the most commanding win yet at the 2025 La Vuelta Femenina, launching a searing solo attack on the slopes of Lagunas de Neila to win stage 5 and take the red jersey. But it was her words after the finish that left the biggest mark. Fighting tears, the Dutch rider dedicated the performance to those struggling with mental health, revealing the personal significance behind her ride.
Shaping of the queen stage
Stage 5 was always going to define the race. A relatively tame opening 90 kilometres from Golmayo led to a brutal final third, with the Alto de Rozavientos softening the legs ahead of the summit finish at 1,867 metres above sea level. The peloton allowed a break to form after 36km, with Maike van der Duin, Julia Borgström, Arianna Fidanza and Lea Lin Teutenberg building a lead of just over three minutes.
FDJ-Suez, clearly intent on seizing the race, controlled the gap with support from Lidl-Trek. The escapees were swept up before the Rozavientos climb, where Juliette Labous and Évita Muzic began their work to thin the bunch. Riders were shelled out quickly, and among those distanced was race leader Femke Gerritse, who then crashed, ending any hope of defending the jersey.
Photo Credit: Unipublic/Antonio Baixauli/Cxcling Creative AgencyOver the summit, the front group included Vollering, Anna van der Breggen, Marlen Reusser, Pauliena Rooijakkers, Cédrine Kerbaol, and Niamh Fisher-Black. Their descent allowed a small regrouping, but with 11km remaining, Mareille Meijering attacked solo just before the official start of the final climb. Mischa Bredewold responded from the group of favourites but was quickly brought back as Muzic took up the chase once again.
Meijering began the 6.5km Lagunas de Neila climb with 30 seconds in hand. That lead evaporated within minutes. A sharp surge by Labous and then Rooijakkers tested the group, before Van der Breggen moved to the front and began to control the pace. The moment of truth came just after the 3km to go banner, when Vollering exploded off the front.
Only Reusser could initially follow, but her resistance lasted just a few hundred metres. Vollering rode clear and away, her tempo unmatched, her advantage growing with each pedal stroke. Behind, Reusser held on for second, 24 seconds down, with Van der Breggen following at 56 seconds. Rooijakkers finished just behind, while Usoa Ostolaza came through late to claim fifth on the stage. Marion Bunel, stepping into leadership duties at Visma-Lease a Bike following Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s withdrawal, finished an impressive seventh – the best result of her young career.
A win with purpose
After such a clinical display on the final climb, Vollering had every reason to celebrate. But her gesture at the finish – pointing to her helmet – hinted that something deeper was at play. Her post-race interview quickly revealed the emotional weight behind the victory.
“The last days were a bit difficult,” she said, her voice cracking. “Someone close to me goes through a really hard time mentally, and I see that too much around me – young people who struggle mentally.”
“Today I did everything I could, because mentally I know I am very, very strong. Because of my mentality, I can win beautiful races. But some people, their brain is a bit too strong in the wrong direction, and they struggle so much. It’s still such an enormous problem in this world. So today my win was a sacrifice for all the people who have a really hard time mentally.”
It was a rare and unguarded moment of vulnerability from one of the peloton’s strongest riders. Vollering’s physical dominance had already made a statement – her emotional honesty ensured it would resonate far beyond the summit of Lagunas de Neila.
Photo Credit: Cxcling Creative Agency2025 La Vuelta Femenina Stage 5 result
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Main photo credit: Unipublic/Rafa Gómez/Sprint Cycling Agency
