‘My legs were just finished’ – Demi Vollering explains how queen stage left her with no ‘answer’ to Sarah Gigante and Pauline Ferrand-Prevot

The 2023 champion, who finished as runner-up last year, was considered among the big favourites for this year’s race and entered Saturday’s crucial stage in GC contention.

Vollering, meanwhile, was left admitting she “didn’t have an answer” after ending the day third in the general classification and 3’18″ behind new leader Ferrand-Prevot ahead of Sunday’s final stage.

“I felt good in the beginning, but I didn’t have an answer to Sarah Gigante’s attack. Normally, I should be able to follow, but I’m very disappointed, of course.

“I just couldn’t keep up. It’s as simple as that. Cycling is very simple for once.”

Although Vollering was left behind by Ferrand-Prevot and Gigante, she did rally late in the climb to take time off defending champion Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto) and tighten her grip on third place in the GC.

“I rode flat out to the finish in the final kilometre. I didn’t have much left, but it was at least enough to drop Kasia,” Vollering said.

“Maybe I can get a podium finish in the GC, but we’ll see. At the moment, I feel pretty rotten. Let’s recover first, then look at tomorrow.”

The final 124km stage from Praz-sur-Arly to Chatel features three ascents including two 8.5% gradient climbs at Col de Joux-Plane (11.6km) and Col du Corbier (5.9km).