The victory at the 11th edition of the Strade Bianche Donne was only decided on the final climb up to the Piazza del Campo in Siena. The two Dutchwomen were on their own after van der Breggen attacked from a twelve-strong leading group in the last gravel sector of the day, Le Tolfe. Only Vollering was able to close the gap. In the final metres of the race, it was the eventual winner who launched the attack to which van der Breggen was unable to respond.
Whilst Vollering had to FDJ - SUEZ had changed jobs, van der Breggen returned to the Team SD Worx - Protime from the role of sporting director back into the racing saddle. She had chosen Vollering as her successor in the super team of recent years and helped the younger rider to develop into the best female rider in the peloton. Recently, however, the relationship was considered to have cooled.
"It's fun to race against Anna," said Vollering after her victory over her rival. "It reminds me of the old days when I started my career. It's nice to duel with her again." It is quite possible that her conclusion would have been different if the race had ended differently. "I'm happy that I won here," added Vollering after her second victory at Strade Bianche after the one in the 2023 season. "I knew that I was in a good position, but also that everyone had me on their radar. I had a lot of pressure because I wanted to please everyone, the team, friends, everyone behind me. Now I'm proud that I was able to finish."
Third place behind Vollering and van der Breggen went to Pauline Ferrand-Prévot. It was also something of a comeback on the podium for the Frenchwoman. After years of abstinence on the road in favour of off-road disciplines, the mountain bike world champion and Olympic champion returned for the new season. She led the chasing group to the finish ahead of her compatriot Juliette Labous.
Results Strade Bianche Donne 2025
Strade Bianche Donne: Siena - Siena
Strade Bianche Donne 2025: Strade Bianche Donne, Siena - Siena
| Rnk. | Riders | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FDJ - SUEZ | 03:49:04 |
| 2 | Team SD Worx - Protime | +00:00:18 |
| 3 | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | +00:01:42 |
| 4 | FDJ - SUEZ | +00:01:42 |
| 5 | Liv AlUla Jayco | +00:01:47 |
| 6 | Fenix-Deceuninck | +00:01:48 |
How Strade Bianche Donne 2025 went
The weather was kind to the women who tackled the 136 kilometres around Siena in the morning. Franziska Brauße (CERATIZIT Pro Cycling Team) was one of the first protagonists of the day after she went on the offensive with Virginia Bortoli (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo). However, an early crash quickly ended the German's adventure.
As a result, the big teams in the peloton set the pace, so that further breakaway attempts were nipped in the bud. It was only when Vollering was just behind the peloton after a puncture, but quickly back again, that the race picked up again. That was a good 60 kilometres before the finish, when Mischa Bredewold (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) initiated a new group, which didn't get too far either. Vollering then made her team work. However, this and a crash in the eighth sector, which also forced Kasia Niewiadoma (CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto) to abandon the race, caused the peloton to crumble more and more.
Vollering closes the gap to the leading group
The peloton broke up further and further, groups formed and broke up again. In addition to Ferrand-Prévot, the most active women included her team-mate Femke Gerittse, Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck), Vollering's strong helper Labous and, last but not least, Liane Lippert (Movistar Team). Gerritse and Ferrand-Prévot were part of a seven-man lead group that had a lead of up to 1:30 minutes on the peloton with Vollering and van der Breggen.
With 18 kilometres to go, Vollering got too hot. She attacked out of the chasing group, which had only remained instead of a field after Labous' pace work, bringing four more riders to the front on her rear wheel - Lippert did not make the jump, van der Breggen did.
And she then went on the offensive in the last sector of the day. Only Vollering was able to follow her, with Yara Kastelijn (Fenix-Deceuninck), Ferrand-Prévot and Labous forming a chasing trio behind, which was later joined by Mavi Garcia (Movistar Team). However, the quintet could only watch as the gap to the leaders quickly widened to more than a minute and a half, so that it soon became clear that the last remaining place on the podium was at stake.
