Overview
- Demi Vollering overturned a deficit by launching two late attacks on the Promenade des Anglais, finishing solo and collecting a 10-second time bonus to move into the overall lead by eight seconds.
- Vollering crossed the line 17 seconds ahead of Elisa Longo Borghini and Kasia Niewiadoma, while Marlen Reusser lost time in the finale and sits third at 1 minute 12 seconds.
- Pauline Ferrand-Prévot abandoned before the stage due to illness, removing a former champion from contention and narrowing the pool of realistic challengers.
- Sunday’s finale is a 99 km circuit around Nice with four climbs of the Col d'Eze, a short, punchy profile that favors repeated attacks and gives opportunistic riders multiple chances to reshuffle the standings.
- Vollering’s move combined on-road gains, teammate support from Célia Géry, and the stage bonus to overturn a 15-second deficit, leaving the title undecided and likely to be settled by aggressive tactics on the final climbs.