Vollering’s Tour de France Femmes bid: A story of redemption and growth
Demi Vollering, a Dutch rider for the FDJ United-Suez team, is preparing for the upcoming Tour de France Femmes, which is set to begin in Lausanne. Vollering, who won the event in 2023, finished second in 2024, losing to Kasia Niewiadoma by just four seconds after the final stage to Alpe d’Huez.
Vollering comes into this year’s Tour feeling refreshed, having altered her schedule by not competing in the Tour of Switzerland or her national championships. Her team manager, Stephen Delcourt, noted that last year she was unwell after the Tour de Suisse and crashed at the nationals. The team undertook a three-week training camp in Tignes to ensure she is mentally and physically prepared.
The 2025 Tour de France Femmes saw Pauline Ferrand-Prévot achieve victory. This year’s race will feature a significant mountain stage three days before the finish, with the Tour de France Femmes visiting Mont Ventoux for the first time. Vollering has a personal connection to this climb, having ridden it during her teenage years.
Vollering’s approach and insights
Vollering describes herself as a “different type” of personality in cycling, a sport she views as somewhat old-school. She is known for her emotional and outspoken nature, often sharing her thoughts on topics such as women’s mental health and athlete wellbeing. Following her 2024 performance, she addressed media suggestions regarding her weight, emphasising the importance of responsible reporting, particularly for younger athletes who look up to them.
She recalled being cautious with her words during a press conference after the 2024 race, concerned that her statements might be taken out of context. Vollering later posted online about the responsibility athletes, teams, and the sport have towards young girls who are watching and observing what is celebrated as the path to success.
Vollering discovered her climbing abilities on Mont Ventoux during her youth. She recounted being impressed by the mountains and enjoying the challenge of riding uphill, often outpacing others, including coaches. This experience helped her recognise that climbing was her strength and suited her as an athlete, also teaching her mental resilience.
Looking ahead, Vollering acknowledges that while women’s sport is growing, cycling remains largely male-dominated, though she observes a positive shift with more women, children, and families attending races.
Growth of the Tour de France Femmes
Marion Rousse, the director of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, has been instrumental in the race’s revival since taking on the role in 2021. Rousse, a former national road champion, transitioned from racing to a career in media before leading the Tour. She stated that creating a women’s Tour de France was not a gift but something women’s cycling deserved.
Rousse began cycling at the age of six, coming from a family involved in the sport. She became a professional cyclist, winning the French national road title in 2012. She retired from racing at 24, partly due to not being paid, and pursued commentary, which allowed her to stay involved in the sport while earning a salary.
When approached by Christian Prudhomme, the men’s race director, to organise the women’s Tour, Rousse accepted, believing the event was crucial for women’s cycling to gain wider recognition and attract sponsors. She noted that the rapid growth of the race has been surprising, with the number of spectators at the roadside now comparable to the men’s Tour.
Rousse feels a self-imposed pressure to create an exciting route and maintain the high standards of the Tour de France. She highlighted the challenge of making women’s cycling a household topic, a goal that has seen significant progress with increased public awareness of riders and transfers. She also addressed discussions about extending the race, explaining that the evolution of the Tour de France Femmes must align with the overall growth of women’s cycling to ensure its long-term success.
SD Worx-Protime, a team with high expectations, will feature Anna van der Breggen in the upcoming Tour. Danny Stam, the team’s sports manager, anticipates an open race due to the challenging and varied course, which he believes will limit any single team’s control. Stam expects the race to be decided by breakaways rather than mass sprints, with a focus on stage victories and a top-five finish for Van der Breggen.
Van der Breggen will be competing in a ‘Grand Tour’ of 2026, having previously secured second-place finishes in both the Vuelta a España Feminina and Giro d’Italia Women.
The Tour de France Femmes will commence in Lausanne on Saturday.
Source: theguardian.com
Isla Hartley is a Sports Reporter at NewsUK. She covered the British summer of sport from Wimbledon to the Test grounds. She focuses on tennis, cricket and athletics and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. She holds a degree in Sports Studies from the University of Stirling and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Glasgow, she runs half-marathons and follows Scottish athletics. “The overlooked athlete usually has the better story.”
