Demi Vollering's Tour de France Hopes in Peril After High-Speed Crash

Demi Vollering's hopes of winning consecutive women's Tour de France titles suffered a significant blow following a high-speed crash during the fifth stage from Bastogne, Belgium to Amnéville, France.

The defending champion crashed while descending into Amnéville, becoming entangled in a multi-rider pile-up. Despite swiftly remounting her bike, Vollering saw her 22-second lead evaporate as her main competitors — Puck Pieterse, Kasia Niewiadoma, and Kristen Faulkner — surged ahead.

Niewiadoma, third overall in the last two editions of the race, seized the opportunity to take the overall lead, while Hungary's Blanka Vas clinched the stage victory. Vollering now sits ninth overall as the race heads towards the grueling ascent of Alpe d'Huez.

(With inputs from agencies.)