Demi Vollering defends the race leader's yellow jersey on final stage of the Women's Tour de France

NICE, France (AP) — Dutchwoman Demi Vollering is defending the race leader’s yellow jersey as the final stage of the Tour de France got underway on Sunday.

The 2023 champion is looking to win the race for the second time but only has a slender lead of 8 seconds over Polish rider Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney, the 2024 champion, and 1 minute, 12 seconds over Marlen Reusser in third overall.

Two years ago, Niewiadoma-Phinney claimed her first Tour title in dramatic manner on a final day mountain stage, beating Vollering by just four seconds overall in a thrilling finish.

The 29-year-old Vollering has won all three Grand Tours, including two Spanish Vueltas and the Giro d’Italia in June.

Stage 9 is just under 100 kilometers (62 miles) long and features four loops around the southeast city of Nice and four sharp climbs of Col d’Èze, nestled in the hills overlooking the tiny Principality of Monaco.

Reusser crashed going downhill after the second ascent of Col d’Èze and the Swiss rider, who is the world time trial champion, needed brief medical treatment on the road before getting back on her bike.

However, her podium chances took a blow.

The stage ends with a downhill finish past the charming French Riviera seaside town of Villefranche-sur-Mer to the finish line in Nice.