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Demi Vollering leads a small pack of riders on the final climb on stage 5 of the 2024 Vuelta Femenina.

La Vuelta Femenina report: Vollering smashes first summit finish to take the lead

The SD Worx leader left nothing to chance on the race's first big climbs.

Joe Lindsey
by Joe Lindsey 02.05.2024 Photography by
Cor Vos
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The overall title at the Vuelta España Femenina was one of the rare misses for Demi Vollering last year. The SD Worx-Protime leader wasted little time setting that right in this year’s edition, taking a convincing solo victory on the first mountaintop finish on stage 5 and vaulting into the race lead overall.

How it unfolded

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Brief analysis

Gaia Realini winces in pain as she sits on the side of the road after crashing on stage 5 of La Vuelta Femenina. Her Lidl-Trek teammate Brodie Chapman crouches next to her, taking a watchful approach to her banged-up teammate.
Another tough day for Lidl-Trek as Brodie Chapman helps Gaia Realini after a hard crash at a crucial moment.
UAE Team ADQ's Karlijn Swinkels launches a late attack on stage 5 of La Vuelta Femenina. She's alone, with riders behind strung out in the chase.
Swinkels. Not waiting.

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Up next

Friday’s stage 6 is a 132 km ride from Tarazona to Vineuesa. It starts with a gentle uncategorized climb that could help send breakaways up the road. But there’s just one climb, the finish atop La Laguna Negra, a 6.5 km ascent averaging 6.7%. It could be a day for a late breakaway, or for Vollering to stamp her control on the race with a second win.

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