FDJ - SUEZ boss Stephen Delcourt finds rumours of their talks with Demi Vollering ridiculous: "Do you think it’s possible?"

Apparently, the €1 million offer by UAE Team ADQ for Demi Vollering is off the table, while Lidl-Trek also seem to have withdrawn from the battle over services of the Dutch champion. Meanwhile FDJ - SUEZ still remained in the mix. Team boss Stephen Delcourt now shed some light on the negotations with Vollering in a conversation with GCN.

The French team confirmed that both FDJ and SUEZ were on the cusp of signing new sponsorship deals with the team until the end of 2028. "We’re just working on the details now but I have all the confidence of my two partners and that’s really good for planning," said Delcourt.

"Many riders call me but at the moment there’s nothing. For the next three weeks maybe it’s busy but maybe nobody moves. My priorities are in the present though." The team has Grace Brown, Marta Cavalli, and Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig out of contract at the end of the season. At least in case of Uttrup Ludwig, it seems clear that both sides are interested in continuation of their cooperation. "We want that, I think she wants that too."

Asked about possibility of signing Vollering, the manager laughs it off. "How’s that possible? We’re not Dutch, and with Lapierre. Do you think it’s possible? Maybe we can start the negotiations tomorrow... I don’t know but every team wants a Demi, every team wants a Juliette Labous, everyone wants an Elisa Longo Borghini."

However it seems there's a real interest in Juliette Labous who said she won't discuss her next contract until May. "If she’s already signed for another team then maybe I’m stupid. Juliet could be a priority, that’s normal. She’s French, she’s one of the only riders who can expect to win the Tour de France, and she made a step last year at the Giro with second overall. It could be really natural if we arrive, but if I’m dsm I extend now."