Vollering launched her attack on the 172-kilometre route from Sisteron to Nice during the day’s final climb, eight kilometres from the finish. It was only on the very last of the 450-metre stretch with a 13 per cent gradient that Niewiadoma was dropped; she could then count herself lucky to still have Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team L’IMAD) as a companion at that point. It was the Italian champion who pulled the woman in yellow down the descent and through the final flat kilometres to the finish, thereby limiting the damage. Longo Borghini and Niewiadoma crossed the line in second and third place, 17 seconds behind Vollering.

Including time bonuses, Vollering now leads the Tour by eight seconds ahead of the Polish rider. Her lead over Marlen Reusser (Movistar Team) now stands at 1 minute 12 seconds. The Swiss rider crossed the finish line 38 seconds behind in the first large chasing group. Antonia Niedermaier (CANYON//SRAM) was also in that group, thereby defending her fifth place in the general classification and the white jersey.

“In a stage race, you take each day as it comes. So you might be disappointed tonight, but the next morning you have to put on a brave face and start all over again,” said winner Vollering after her second stage victory of this Tour and her move into the yellow jersey. “I think this proves that it doesn’t matter what it takes or how much pain it causes, as long as you really believe in something and have big dreams.”

Vollering’s provision from January

It was a dream – or rather a vision, an inspiration – that gave Vollering the confidence to tackle the decisive climb. “I can’t remember exactly when it was – perhaps it was in January, when I was doing a recce here – but I saw myself taking the yellow jersey here. It didn’t make any sense to me, though, so I forgot all about it. This morning, that sense of déjà vu came back, and I thought to myself: ‘Maybe it’s true, maybe it really is meant to be.’”

However, the 29-year-old was also aware that the Tour isn’t over yet: “Tomorrow is obviously going to be incredibly tough. I’ve been saying this since the start of the Tour: anything can still happen on the final day, but at least I’ll be starting tomorrow in the yellow jersey. And that’s a dream come true.”

Whilst Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech) defended her mountains’ jersey with ease, Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx - Protime) also managed to retain the green jersey. However, she had to abandon any hopes of a stage win – which had been the subject of speculation – at the final mountain climb. The tight situation in the general classification, in particular, meant that the final climbs were ridden at an enormous pace – far too much for a sprinter.

2026 Tour de France Femmes – Results of Stage 8

Here’s how Stage 8 of the 2026 Tour de France Femmes unfolded

Stage 8 got underway without Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Team Visma | Lease a Bike). Following a number of attacks early in the day, it was Maeva Squiban (UAE Team L’IMAD) and Loes Adegeest (Lidl - Trek) who managed to break away from the peloton. Over the first half of the stage, which was a gentle, steady climb, the duo built up a lead of more than six minutes.

With 35 kilometres to go, the gap had narrowed to four minutes; with 18 kilometres remaining as the riders approached the Côte de Colomars (4th category), it was down to one and a half minutes. Zoe Bäckstedt led the peloton over the climb for Niewiadoma, who was riding in second position; there were no attacks. At the front, Squiban crashed on the descent.

Ten kilometres from the finish, the Côte de la Ginestière (4th category) awaited the riders. This time, FDJ led the peloton. Adegeest was caught, whilst Wiebes lost contact. However, there were no attacks, and 14 riders entered the final climb together: the Camin de l’Arieta – 450 metres long, with an average gradient of 13 per cent. And that’s where Vollering made her move. Longo Borghini stayed with her, as did Niewiadoma. But just before the summit, Vollering managed to break away; Niewiadoma had overreached and faded. A gap of 20 seconds was reported.

It was the Italian who did the work of keeping up with the pack. Niewiadoma didn’t manage to get past into the wind even once. Meanwhile, Vollering pushed on right to the line, only celebrating after crossing it, and in doing so gained a 17-second lead to take the yellow jersey.