The first hilltop finish turned the Vuelta a España upside down. Marianne Vos (Jumbo), winner of the last two stages, soon disappeared from the leading group, knowing that she was going to lose the lead, she was already in the port of Navafría, more than 70 kilometers away. It was the time for the climbers but unlike what happened last season, when Annemiek van Vleuten dominated the three Grand Tours, it was not the Dutch Movistar rider who ended up donning the red jersey. Demi Vollering, the applicant, defeated her at the Mirador de Peñas Llanas.
At the top of the Segovian Mirador, the joy of Vollering (SD Worx) was joined by the tears of his teammate Niamh Fisher-Black, who fell when she was in the group of favourites. Vollering consoled her, knowing that she will need it on Sunday in the momentous ascent to the Covadonga Lakes, where the Vuelta will be decided.
Vollering, with his red nails, matching the burgundy jersey of the World Tour leader's jersey, confirmed his great form. At 26 years old, the Dutchwoman is sweeping this 2023 in which the Strade Bianche and the triptych of the Ardennes have signed up and now she wants to dethrone the veteran Van Vleuten in the Tour. In Riaza she laid the first stone.
After the combat start in Navafría, Van Vleuten was the only Movistar at the head of the race while Vollering had two teammates (until the New Zealander Fisher-Black) fell. All attempts to connect behind the telephone equipment were in vain. When the ramps to the Mirador began, there was no need for gregarious people. It was up to the bosses.
Realini (Trek) began to shoot. Until Vollering decided it was the distance from him. Three kilometers away he took command and never let go. At pace, he caused a trail of victims: Dygert (Canyon), Mavi García from Mallorca, Markus… and Realini, who could not keep up with the speed.
Only three remained. Vollering accelerated, Van Vleuten grabbed and Bauernfeind surprised. The three played the victory. The world champion played her trick at 300 meters from the finish line, the toughest, but this time she couldn't. Vollering is intractable this spring, although she has Van Vleuten right behind her.
