“I thought: don’t give up, I can still come back... but then we were sent the wrong way” – Demi Vollering rues punctures and chaos at Strade Bianche Donne
Cycling
A dramatic afternoon at Strade Bianche Donne produced both triumph and frustration for FDJ United - SUEZ, as Elise Chabbey stormed to victory while team leader Demi Vollering saw her own chances disappear in a moment of cruel timing.
Vollering had been positioned among the leading contenders when a puncture struck at exactly the wrong point in the race, preventing her from following the decisive moves on the Tuscan gravel. “I’m so proud of them,” Vollering said afterwards in comments to Eurosport. “They did everything perfectly, even before I had the puncture at the worst possible moment.”
Puncture ends Vollering’s chance to fight for victory
The race had already been intensifying when the incident occurred, with the strongest riders beginning to shape the decisive selection.
For Vollering, however, the mechanical immediately forced her onto the defensive as the front group surged ahead. “I thought: don’t give up, I can still come back,” she explained. “But then we were sent the wrong way. Everyone immediately knew it was over. It’s a pity for me, but I got really excited by the messages coming through my radio.”
That confusion in the chase group effectively ended any realistic chance of regaining contact with the leaders as the race approached its closing phase around Siena.
Team execution delivers victory
While Vollering’s own ambitions faded, the race quickly turned into a memorable day for the team as Chabbey capitalised on the situation to take one of the biggest wins of her career.
Watching the finale unfold from behind, Vollering remained in contact with the team via race radio and was able to follow the unfolding drama as the victory became increasingly likely. “I was really like: come on girls,” she said. “I tried to give them some information as well, although I think they probably didn’t need my instructions. I still have to watch it back, but I think they did a fantastic job.”
She also highlighted the work done earlier in the race by several teammates who had helped shape the day’s tactics. “It’s great to see what Amber Kraak and Lea Curinier did,” Vollering added. “They were on the front the whole time. They were really flying.”
A chaotic day ends in celebration
Despite the disappointment of missing the chance to contest the victory herself, Vollering made clear that the team’s success quickly put the frustrations of the race into perspective.
With celebrations already beginning in Tuscany, the riders will soon turn their attention back to training.
“Tonight we go to Pisa, and tomorrow we have a very early flight to Tenerife for a training camp,” Vollering said with a smile. “Or maybe we’ll celebrate all night.”
While Vollering’s own ambitions were derailed by the puncture and the confusion in the chase, the outcome still marked a hugely successful afternoon for the team as Chabbey converted their aggressive race plan into victory on the gravel roads of Tuscany. For Vollering, the disappointment of missing the decisive moment was softened by seeing the team’s work rewarded at one of the most prestigious races of the early season.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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