Demi Vollering climbs to second place in Flèche Wallonne

Demi Vollering climbs to second place in Flèche Wallonne

"The feeling was good, this gives confidence for Liège-Bastogne-Liège"

17/04/2024

"The Wall of Huy never lies," said Demi Vollering after her second place in the Flèche Wallonne. With that, the Dutch champion indicated that this time on the steep final climb there was one rider stronger: Kasia Niewiadoma. Nevertheless, the rider of Team SD Worx - Protime draws confidence from her way of riding and this result for Liège-Bastogne-Liège. "I felt strong the whole race," she said.

Linked race Waalse Pijl 2024 - Linked cyclists Demi Vollering - Gekoppelde ploegleiders: Anna van der Breggen Danny Stam

"I tried to find my own rhythm on the final climb," Vollering told us. "This year it was for Kasia Niewiadoma. It was a somewhat easier edition of the Flèche Wallonne than previous years. We missed five tough climbs in the finale compared to last year."

"It's nice for Kasia to win now. She is always strong and always attacks in races. Kasia had the punch to get away. I was hoping her legs would explode in the last hundred meters so I could come back. But she was very strong."

Vollering set the pace from the foot of the Mur of Huy. "This is not a climb for a plan. I tried to make the climb as long and as difficult as possible. I tried to go from the foot to the top. However, there was one rider better."

Last year, Vollering managed to win the Ardennes Tripple Amstel Gold Race, Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. The first two races didn't quite go in her favor this year. The Amstel Gold Race was neutralized after a serious accident and only 55 kilometers remained after the restart. "As a result, it didn't become the tough race I had hoped for. But I can understand the organization's decision. When someone's life is at stake, cycling is a sideshow. In the Flèche Wallonne, the course change is not in my favor. With the extra climbs that were still in it in recent years, the race would certainly have been better for me."

Whether the failure to win gives extra pressure for her for her favorite race Liège-Bastogne-Liège. "No, that's a completely different race. Liege is always very tough. I'm satisfied with my form and looking forward to Sunday."

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