Vollering wins women's road race world title in Montreal

Demi Vollering won the women's road race world title in Montreal on 26 September 2026, taking the chequered finish and the rainbow jersey. The victory came at the elite world championships in Canada.

Vollering, 29, continued a prolific season that the report says included a second Tour de France Femmes title this year, adding to her 2023 triumph. She had also collected wins at the Giro d'Italia Women and a run of spring one-day classics, including the Tour of Flanders and Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

Vollering launched her initial attack with about 40km to go only to be reeled in by the chasing pack over the final two laps. Poland's Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney stayed on her wheel in the closing stages and challenged to the line but was beaten. Vollering crossed the finish line in four hours 45 minutes nine seconds.

Italian Elisa Longo Borghini edged out world time-trial champion Marlen Reusser to take bronze. The podium places were decided in the closing metres after the late regrouping by the favourites. Vollering's win followed a race that repeatedly splintered on the circuits in Montreal.

"I can still not believe it. I worked so hard towards this goal, and it takes guts to truly believe in it with your whole heart," she said. "There were so many moments I thought I went too early," Vollering said. "I didn't dare to turn around and look back because I felt like they were almost on my wheel already. "I just dared, tried again and never gave up to the finish line."

Great Britain's Flora Perkins was among 15 riders to crash while speeding downhill early in the race. Defending champion Magdeleine Vallieres, Mauritius' Kimberley Le Court and Spain's Paula Blasi were also involved and eventually had to withdraw.

The world title adds to Vollering's season haul, joining her victories at the Tour de France Femmes and the Giro d'Italia Women.