"I haven't forgotten what she did when I was lying on the ground two years ago" - Demi Vollering strikes back at Niewiadoma for 'attack' on Gery
CyclingSunday, 09 August 2026 at 17:24
The Tour de France Femmes has fully detonated on its final days. In and out of the bike, Demi Vollering and Katarzyna Niewiadoma are in an all-out battle. The stage 8 incident has led the former yellow jersey Niewiadoma to strongly criticize FDJ - Suez, and Vollering herself has fired back on her rival, bringing back the 2024 Tour de France Femmes in which both riders also finished within seconds of each other.
FDJ's tactics on Saturday's stage were of having Gery in the wheel of Vollering into the final climb and then slow down; and with Niewiadoma being pushed into the side of the road, it led to a very tense and confrontational mood following the stage. Niewiadoma did not hold back in her criticism, and this has created a major issue for the French national champion.
“I think it is very unpleasant for Célia. I have seen the video footage and I don’t see much in it. She still leaves space," FDJ - Suez DS Lars Boom said in words to Sporza.
“She is being completely torn apart on social media and she is receiving death threats. I think that is a real shame.” The incident has sparked a major debate on social media, with heated arguments over whether the move was worthy of consequences for the youngster; and the move's influence in the race's outcome.
Demi Vollering and Célia Gery leading the GC group in the decisive moment of the Tour de France Femmes
Vollering defends Célia Gery
And at the start line in Nice, Demi Vollering was asked on the matter. The yellow jersey, with a lead of only 8 seconds, has fired back at Niewiadoma's reaction following yesterday's stage.
“I feel especially sorry for Célia, because she simply did more than her best,” Vollering said in a pre-race interview, as reported by Wielerflits “She could never have known that there would be such a shitload of reactions. We live in a sick world these days. It is too sad for words. It makes me incredibly angry. She is still so young and so fresh in this sport. We have to protect her.”
Vollering, despite now being in the leading position at the Tour, does not hide that herself is in a complicated position where her team and teammates have been heavily criticized, a situation that Lars Boom has explained was difficult.
“I think it really sucks that things like this happen. We became athletes because we love the sport. We don't choose to have these kinds of comments and reactions thrown at us. I am going to need her very badly today, because she is the perfect teammate and wouldn't hurt a fly.”
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Vollering brings up 2024 Tour de France Femmes drama
But not only did Vollering defend her teammate, but bring back a sensitive topic from the past: “I have a lot of respect for Kasia, but I was a bit disappointed when I saw her interview yesterday after the finish. She attacked my teammate. I don't think that is fair when you are so emotionally charged. I mean, I haven't forgotten what she did when I was lying on the ground two years ago. She isn't the one who should be talking about fair play.”
At the 2024 Tour de France Femmes, Vollering was leading the race when on stage 5 she crashed. On a relatively flat finale, the then-SD Worx rider lost significant time and the yellow jersey, and would then lose the Tour, finishing the race only 4 seconds away from Niewiadoma. At the time, the lack of support for Vollering within the Dutch team was a major debate in itself
“But I don't hold anything against her. Ultimately, we shouldn't forget that we are all human beings off the bike. Célia is still so young. That isn't fair in my opinion.”
Vollering's win in Nice took her to the yellow jersey
But on the bike, there is still a race to decide. There are only 8 seconds separating Vollering and Niewiadoma into the final stage of the race that features four ascents of the Col d'Èze.
“We are all completely ready for it and are going to do everything we can to defend the yellow jersey. I am prepared for anything. Maybe it will happen before the fourth climb of the Col d’Eze; I am ready to go full throttle from start to finish.”
With the differences on Mont Ventoux favouring the Polish climber, Vollering will have no easy task carrying the maillot jaune into the final podium.
“I am one hundred percent fit. But I also don't want to be too fixated on winning. Ultimately, you have to start from nothing and hope for everything," she concluded.
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
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Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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- It seems to me that Almeida is not happy in Team UAE. He’s not had luck with staying healthy and then he’s also relegated down the priority list within the team. I don’t see him renewing his contract whenever it’s up. From UAE’s perspective, he’s not performed up to his potential in a long time.
PogiFan2Day09-08-2026 - Her « own » team? Those were the people betting on and preferring Lotte who frankly, hasn’t really been up to scratch since Demi gave her the no. 1 spot.Mistermaumau09-08-2026
- Oh, can you quote from the admission please, I’d like to check the veracity of your accusation.Mistermaumau09-08-2026
- whkman, Demi didn't say that or anything remotely like it. You are making this up. And you summed up the imbalance in their level (this year, at least) when you wondered whether Kasia would have been able to 'hang on'. Her Ventoux win was amazing, but on other stages she mostly let Demi do the attacking.Hills3309-08-2026
- D’you lose a wager or what?Mistermaumau09-08-2026
- Then why do dirty tacticsabstractengineer09-08-2026
- Actually Pogi doesn't need Almeida, not for the Vuelta. All Pogi needs is a continental team... and wins. Ad acta.PogiSloFans09-08-2026
- And THAT is how you win a race.RidesHills09-08-2026
- Feels like redemiption? Quite a season, congrats. Leaving SD was a very wise career move.Mistermaumau09-08-2026
- Her new team seems to appreciate her far more though. As for narcissist, I think without some kind of backup from the entourage, you’re grasping. Got any quotations from other riders?Mistermaumau09-08-2026
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