"Demi shouldn't be there" - No consensus on Vollering's Tour de France Femmes fall

Stage 3 of the Tour de France Femmes was marked by it's crashes and more particularly the one that took down Demi Vollering in the final kilometers of the stage. Last year the Dutchwoman lost the race due to the time loss in what seemed to be an innocent day on the bike already. However not everyone agrees that the Dutchwoman was a victim of bad luck, but that instead, she shouldn't have been in the middle of the sprinters that late into the race.

The arrival in Angers was flat and all of the leadouts prepared for what seemed to be an inevitable bunch sprint. The 3-kilometer rule, changed on this day to 5 kilometers, ultimately saved those who went down with just over 3 to go. The mass crash took place due to two separate riders falling right near the head of the peloton, and amongst those who then couldn't avoid it was Vollering. Although she made it to the finish line, it was in clear pain, helped by her teammates, and with an emotional arrival to the team bus afterwards. She did not lose time in the GC but her injuries may take her down the same path of other favourites such as Marlen Reusser and Elisa Longo Borghini who already withdrew from the race.

"With 3 kilometers to go in a bunch sprint, there's indeed little respect. Everyone has the right to claim their place. There are a few rules, like shoving into a train—you don't do that. Otherwise, everyone has an equal right to be there," AG Insurance manager Stijn Steels said in an interview with Sporza. However knowing of the danger, the Belgian argues that Vollering should have known not to be in that position where the risk of crashes is always higher. 

"Demi shouldn't be there at that point," he argues. "There was the five-kilometer rule. Either they make sure they're riding at the front with the team, or they're in 60/70 position. Nothing will happen anyway. Between 20 and 40, you know that's the most dangerous spot. You shouldn't be there."