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#Demi #Vollering #Drops #Comeback #Kid #Van #der #Breggen #SeasonOpening #Win #Setmana #Valenciana
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Demi Vollering (FDJ-SUEZ) made a spectacular start to her 2025 season by winning Stage 1 of the Valencian Cycling Week, a 112km hilly race from Alzira to Gandia. In her debut for the French team after transferring from SD Worx-Protime, Vollering launched a powerful attack on the final climb, the Cat. 2 Alto de Barx (4.6km at 5.7%), with just over a kilometer to go. Supported by teammates, she surged ahead of her rivals, including Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime), who was making her return to professional racing after three years as a sport director. Van der Breggen attempted to respond but couldn’t match Vollering’s pace. Marlen Reusser (Movistar) chased from behind, with both riders finishing 30 seconds behind the Dutch champion. Vollering soloed to her 45th career victory, marking a strong start to her tenure with FDJ-Suez.
Vollering praised her team’s efforts, saying, “The team was really strong today, so I hoped to finish it off.” She expressed pride in her early-season form and confidence in the team’s support. Her last win came at the Tour de Romandie Féminin in September, and her seamless transition to the new squad highlighted her off-season preparation. Van der Breggen, a former world champion, impressed in her comeback, admitting she exceeded her own expectations. “I didn’t think I would be able to keep up on a climb for so long,” she said, adding that the race boosted her confidence. Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek), who was dropped on the climbs, won the bunch sprint for fourth place, finishing 1:30 back.
The four-day Valencian Cycling Week continues with Stage 2, a 134km route from Benicàssim to Nules, featuring a challenging double climb midway through the race. The stage could suit fast finishers if they can stay with the favorites over the climbs. Vollering’s dominant performance sets the tone for her season, while Van der Breggen’s strong return adds intrigue to the competition.
