Vollering wins Giro to complete Grand Tour trilogy

Demi Vollering and compatriot Annemiek van Vleuten are the only female riders to have completed the Grand Tour trilogy

Dutch rider Demi Vollering won her first Giro d'Italia after usurping race leader Anna van der Breggen during a thrilling final stage on Sunday.

Four-time champion Van der Breggen hasled since stage fourof this year's race. the 36-year-old went into the ninth stage with a49-second lead over compatriot Vollering.

The 29-year-old was aiming to become just the second female rider to complete the Grand Tour trilogy. launched several attacks on the 145km route around Saluzzo at the foot of the Alps.

Antonia Niedermaier became the virtual leader, attacking with 80km to go, with Elisa Longo Borghini. Niamh Fisher-Black joining her to form a breakaway group.

But Vollering then dropped Van der Breggen with 39km remaining on the Colletta di Brondello, the final climb of the race,. reached the lead group 28km from the finish.

The FDJ-Suez rider did not challenge for the stage win in the sprint finish having already secured the maglia rosa (pink jersey) so Longo Borghini. who won the past two Giros, edged out New Zealand's Fisher-Black for the Italian's first stage win of this year's race.

Vollering finished 30 seconds ahead of Niedermaier in the overall standings, with Van der Breggen a further minute behind, to add the Giro to her La Vuelta Femenina wins of 2024. 2025, and her Tour de France triumph in 2023.

"I gave it my all on the final climb - it was the time trial of my life," said Vollering.

"I had to be ready to take risks, even if it meant losing everything. I did it, we did it. I can hardly believe it."

Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita/UAE ADQ) +3hr 45min 9sec

Niamh Fisher-Black (NZ/Lidl-Trek) Same time

Antonia Niedermaier (Ger/Canyon-Sram Zondacrypto) +2sec

Demi Vollering (Ned/FDJ–Suez) +3sec

Femke de Vries (Ned/Visma-Lease a Bike) +2min 23sec

Anna van der Breggen (Ned/SD Worx–Protime) Same time

Sigrid Ytterhus Haugset (Nor/Uno-X Mobility) +5min 59sec

Lauren Dickson (GB/FDJ–Suez) Same time

Isabella Holmgren (Can/Lidl-Trek) +6min 1sec

Magdeleine Vallieres (Can/EF Education-Oatly) Same time

Demi Vollering (Ned/FDJ–Suez) 29hr 54min 19sec

Antonia Niedermaier (Ger/Canyon-Sram Zondacrypto) +30sec

Anna van der Breggen (Ned/SD Worx–Protime) +1min 37sec

Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita/UAE ADQ) +2min 44sec

Niamh Fisher-Black (NZ/Lidl-Trek) +3min 26sec

Femke de Vries (Ned/Visma-Lease a Bike) +5min 7sec

Isabella Holmgren (Can/Lidl-Trek) +7min 10sec

Urska Zigart (Slo/AG Insurance-Soudal) +12min 39sec

Valentina Cavaller (Aut/SD Worx–Protime) +13min 12sec

Lore de Schepper (Bel/AG Insurance-Soudal) +13min 29sec