"I want to win the Tour de France" – Demi Vollering fires direct warning shot to rivals ahead of 2026 season

Before a single race number has been pinned on for 2026, Demi Vollering has already set the tone.

On stage at the Grand Départ presentation, she repeated a line she had been practising in French — one that doubled as the most unfiltered declaration of intent you’ll hear all winter: “I want to win the Tour de France with the team.”

Vollering described a group carrying strong momentum from last season into the new campaign. “We are all motivated for the season,” she said in quotes collected by Cycling News. “I saw us grow through the season last year. I feel that we have brought this motivation all the way to the end of this season and into the next. Next year will be a good challenge again, with some new riders on the team; we are really ready.”

She added: “I'm really motivated to kick off the season next year.”

The Dutch rider highlighted the achievements FDJ - Suez collected in 2025, including her victories at Strade Bianche, the Vuelta a Espana, Itzulia Women and the Volta a Catalunya.

“I think it was a beautiful season, and we reached some beautiful goals with the team,” she said. “Starting at Strade Bianche, it was a big goal for the team, and I was super happy that I could take the win. It was a very special one because the whole team was a big part of it.”

“After the Vuelta, of course, the Grand Tour for the team, and so I'm really happy that we could do that as well. The Tour was a really good result with the team classification, polka-dot jersey with Elise. Overall, it was an amazing season for all of us.”

In an interview with L'Equipe, Vollering also said the races she did not win last season remain central motivators.

“Of course, I'm a winner; there are always things that can be improved,” she said. “So obviously, both the Tour and the Worlds are on my mind; I would have liked to succeed in both. But that’s sport… [not always winning] is what makes things more beautiful, too. If I manage to do that in the future, it'll make those moments more special.”

With FDJ-Suez adding further depth to their roster for the season ahead, Vollering’s objectives remain straightforward: “I want to win the Tour de France with the team.”