Vollering Overpowers Niewiadoma in Tactical Omloop Showdown

Demi Vollering came out best in a fierce head to head with her past Tour de France Femmes rival Kasia Niewiadoma on Saturday, winning the Omloop Nieuwsblad in a two-up sprint.

The duo powered clear on the Muur – Kapelmuur, with Niewiadoma starting the climb a few of seconds behind at the bottom but catching the Vollering group and then leading the FDJ United-Suez rider over the top.

They were five seconds clear of the next rider there and then, chased hard by some of the best riders in the world, collaborated well all the way to the finish.

Niewiadoma sat on Vollering inside the final 500 meters in a bid to gain a tactical advantage, but the latter was far too powerful when she launched just inside 200 meters to go.

She hit the line several bike lengths ahead of the Canyon-SRAM Zondacrypto rider, while sprinting ace Lorena Wiebes (Team SD Worx-Protime) beat Cat Ferguson (Movistar Team), Franziska Koch (FDJ United-Suez) and ten others 21 seconds later.

“It feels good. It is really nice to finish it off here today,” said the European champion Vollering.

The Dutchwoman finished second and third in the past but went into the race with confidence she could do better.

“It was a bit my own expectations also that I would do it, but still to do it makes me proud. And also the team did really a good job.”

A strong climber, Vollering explained FDJ Suez’s plan was to go full gas on the Muur to set her up.

“In the end we were a bit stuck and I found a place to move up. So I was first alone on the front, but then Francie [Franziska Koch] came from the back and she did the first part of the Muur perfectly. We already had a gap so I just continued as hard as possible.

“Then I just saw on the top who was left with me and it was only Kasia, then it was just full gas to the Bosberg and then full gas over the Bosberg and full gas to the finish.”

A big showing by Niewiadoma

Niewiadoma has been a key rival of Vollering for many years, being beaten by her in the 2023 Tour de France but then turning the tables around one year later.

The Polish champ was climbing very strongly on Saturday, something which bodes very well for the upcoming races. But, being a smaller and lighter rider, she simply didn’t have the same power in the finale.

“I’m definitely happy to start the Classics with a podium,” she said. “Of course it is hard to be again watching a winner just in front of me, but Demi was very strong and super-fast at the end.

“Leading towards the Muur, I didn’t have the best position. There was a crash just before that, and so I spent a lot of energy trying to just get to the front and then make it over.

“It was a perfect Classic day – chaotic, rainy, windy, cold, so I am happy that we finished it up with the podium.”