REPORT: Demi Vollering finishes second in Amstel Gold Race

REPORT: Demi Vollering finishes second in Amstel Gold Race

"Sour, but better podium than nothing"

10/04/2022

Team SD Worx coloured the Amstel Gold Race, but due to a surprising attack by Marta Cavalli on the spur of the Cauberg 1.7 kilometres from the finish, Demi Vollering had to settle for second place for the second year in a row. "Just at that moment Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio and I were looking at each other for a second. Of course it's hard not to win again, but the podium is better than nothing," said the Dutchwoman after the finish.

Linked race Amstel Gold Race - Linked cyclists Demi Vollering Niamh Fisher-Black Chantal Van Den Broek-Blaak Blanka Vas Marlen Reusser

The race quickly broke open and Team SD Worx was strongly represented at the front. At 56 kilometres from the end, an elite group rode away with Chantal van den Broek-Blaak, Demi Vollering, Van Dijk, Niewiadoma, Henderson, Lippert, Santesteban and Van Vleuten. "That group was probably a bit too strong, so we couldn't stay away. There were too many big names in it. Because of this, no one really rode full speed," said Demi Vollering.

While Team SD Worx was always in the front group, the team missed the battle at 33 kilometres from the end. Blanka Vas and Chantal van den Broek-Blaak put themselves on the front and brought the leading group back. On the Bemelerberg Reusser then tried to get away, but nobody let her go. The Cauberg would bring the decision. Van Vleuten went full speed ahead, only Niewiadoma, Cavalli, Garcia, Vollering and Moolman-Pasio could follow. Cavalli made a surprising and successful attack at the top.

When Cavalli went, I immediately thought: shit, this is going to be difficult. It's a pity that I finished second two years in a row.

Demi Vollering

"Just then Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio and I looked at each other for a second and Cavalli left on the other side. So we saw it too late. I immediately thought: shit, this is going to be difficult. Then Ashleigh went full speed ahead. Unfortunately Cavalli stayed in front. I was hesitant to make the jump, but last year everything came together in the last kilometres. At that moment you have to gamble and I went for the sprint. Eventually, I won the sprint. Although this time it was not for the first place. It's a pity that I finished second two years in a row. A missed opportunity, because you don't have the legs to win every year. It's sour, but podium is better than nothing," Vollering said. 

Van der Breggen: "It's a pity Demi couldn't sprint for victory"

Team manager Anna van der Breggen: "We started very well at the last Cauberg. It is a pity we were not there when Cavalli goes. If you look at the sprint that Demi had, it is a super nice second place. If you can do this for the victory, it is perfect. It's a pity that it just didn't work out, but this says that Demi's form is good. We ride around with confidence. In the next races there are chances again", Van der Breggen concluded.

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