Demi Vollering prevails on the Col du Tourmalet and takes over yellow from teammate Lotte Kopecky

Demi Vollering prevails on the Col du Tourmalet and takes over yellow from teammate Lotte Kopecky

"It feels better than in my dreams"

30/07/2023

"A day by the book. Our plan worked perfectly," Demi Vollering had it recorded after she took the yellow jersey on the Col du Tourmalet. The Dutch champion attacked five kilometres from the top and had overtaken leading rider Kasia Niewiadoma at lightning speed. She steamed on, winning supremely with 1'50" lead atop the mythical Tourmalet. "It has yet to creep in, this feels better than in my dreams," said new yellow jersey wearer Demi Vollering.

Linked cyclists Demi Vollering Lotte Kopecky Gekoppelde ploegleiders: Anna van der Breggen

The devil was in the tail of the queen stage of the Tour de France Femmes. On the Col d'Aspin, an elite group had formed with Annemiek van Vleuten, Kasia Niewiadoma and Demi Vollering. On the descent, Niewiadoma ran out. What followed was a poker game between Vollering and Van Vleuten. "Annemiek said I had to ride because otherwise we would both lose. I told her I was waiting for my teammates Marlen Reusser and Lotte Kopecky in the group behind. I never panicked because I knew the valley between the col d'Aspin and the Tourmalet was tricky. I stuck to our pre-made race plan and it turned out to be the right one."

Vollering accelerated as planned five kilometres from the line and rode towards Niewiadoma. She left them on the spot and eventually finished 1'50" atop the Col du Tourmalet. "I had the right legs at the right time. When Movistar made all of Annemiek van Vleuten's teammates work hard on the Col d'Aspin, I wasn't really giving up yet. While I was pedalling considerable wattages at the time. Then I had the confirmation that it was right."

Vollering pakte zo haar eerste ritzege in de Tour de France Femmes en nam het geel over van ploeggenote Lotte Kopecky. “Om te winnen bovenop de Tourmalet is heel mooi. Het was een voordeel dat ik tijdens de verkenning de berg tweemaal had gedaan, want door de dichte mist was het moeilijk om te zien waar we precies zaten. Toen Anna aangaf dat er een bocht naar links of rechts kwam, kon ik het inschatten, want door mijn verkenning wist ik hoe ze liepen. Dat ik geel pak, voelt mooier dan in mijn mooiste dromen. Maar ik ben er nog niet. Pas als ik de tijdrit tot een goed einde breng, mag ik vieren.”

De druk van de buitenwereld wist Vollering buiten te sluiten. “Met de spanning viel het mee. Ik merkte dat ik onrustig was de afgelopen dagen. Ik wist zelf niet hoe goed ik zou zijn. Dus merkte ik wel wat onrust bjijmezelf. Maar Team SD Worx toonde continue dat ze alle vertrouwen in mij hadden. Ik wilde hen niet teleurstellen. Dus ben ik blij dat we het gedaan hebben op de Tourmalet.”

Lotte Kopecky surprised not only friend and foe, but certainly herself, with a sixth place on the Col du Tourmalet. "The plan was to hang on as long as possible to hopefully get the rest nervous. But I never expected to stay with them for so long," Kopecky said beyond the finish.

Lotte Kopecky surprised not only friend and foe, but certainly herself, with a sixth place on the Col du Tourmalet. "The plan was to hang on as long as possible to hopefully get the rest nervous. But I never expected to stay with them for so long," Kopecky said beyond the finish.

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