Demi Vollering of FDJ United-Suez secured the overall title at the Setmana Ciclista – Volta Femenina Valenciana on Sunday, February 15, 2026, with a dominant sprint finish in Valencia. The European champion likewise claimed her second stage win of the race, solidifying a commanding performance throughout the week-long competition.
Vollering entered the final 117km stage with a 56-second lead over Maeva Squiban (UAE Team ADQ), a buffer that was nearly erased by Saturday’s cancellation of the mountainous stage to La Nucía due to dangerous wind conditions. Sunday’s route, featuring a second-category climb – the Alt de l’Oronent – 31km from the finish, presented a final opportunity for Squiban to challenge Vollering’s lead.
Squiban launched a significant attack on the Alt de l’Oronent, but Vollering responded, matching the surge and then accelerating to establish a breakaway alongside Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto). The pair built a lead, but were eventually caught by Squiban, Liane Lippert (Movistar), and Mie Bjørndal Ottestad (Uno-X Mobility) with 15km remaining. The leading group of five maintained a 27-second advantage over the chasing pack as they approached the final kilometers.
In the sprint finish, Vollering demonstrated her power and tactical acumen, easily outpacing Lippert to accept the stage victory and cement her overall win. She finished the race with a 1 minute and 2 second advantage over Squiban in the general classification, also securing the points competition title.
This victory marks Vollering’s second consecutive overall win at the Setmana Valenciana, having also triumphed in the 2025 edition. Her performance this week builds on an impressive start to the season, highlighted by a decisive attack on the Alt de Barx three days prior. On that stage, Vollering attacked with 20.4km remaining, mirroring a winning move from last year, and ultimately finished 52 seconds ahead of a group including Squiban.
Vollering’s strong showing serves as a significant morale boost as she prepares for the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, which begins in over five months. Her next scheduled race is the Omloop Nieuwsblad on February 28.
