Demi Vollering takes yellow jersey in sensational style

Demi Vollering took possession of the yellow jersey in the Tour de France Femmes on Saturday by winning the penultimate stage in sensational style.

The SD Worx rider surged on the iconic ascent of the Col du Tourmalet to take top spot from team-mate Lotte Kopecky, who has dropped to sixth overall.

Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar) had powered up Col d'Aspin to try and wear down her rivals, but the defending champion could not repeat her heroics from 12 months ago.

Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon//Sram) also applied pressure until Vollering took over in the mist and covered the final five kilometres on her own.

Vollering’s efforts opened up a significant gap before Sunday’s conclusion – one minute and 58 seconds to Niewiadoma and two minutes and 34 seconds to Van Vleuten.

Sunday’s final stage is a 22 kilometre individual time trial in Pau.