"It’s not like we’re sitting on the PlayStation and can just decide who wins" - Demi Vollering's European Championships teammate invites questions
Cycling
Demi Vollering's European Championships pursuit is less about PlayStation and more about managing a real-world race situation, according to Dutch national team coach Lauren ten Dam. With the new world champion defending her European crown on Saturday, she has a luxury teammate at her disposal in Slovenia.
Lorena Wiebes is part of the Dutch selection starting in Ljubljana, adding the world's best sprinters to Vollering's team. With her World Championships line-up seeing her the undisputed leader, Wiebes' inclusion has raised the question of whether the SD Worx - Protime rider is a second card to play for the nation.
Speaking about their race plan, and acknowledging a selective climb on the course, ten Dam declared that Wiebes' experience is best suited for providing support and that her inclusion ultimately works towards their best chance of victory in Demi Vollering.
“As a coach, I obviously can’t say too much about that... so I want to keep my cards a bit close to my chest. But it seems clear to me that Demi will be one of the riders out of the picture,” he told Wielerflits.
Lorena Wiebes
Wiebes to support Vollering
“No, exactly. For example, I am super happy that Lorena Wiebes is there. She is basically here to provide support. But it’s not like we’re sitting on the PlayStation and can just decide who wins. People sometimes think that way too easily. Ultimately, if you want to win this race, at some point you have to go for the biggest chance. In the final, we will see who that will be. And that could very well be Demi.”
A sprint isn't on the cards for Wiebes, who came into the setup seeking to contribute to the collective rather than be the focus of a sprint lead-out: “No, we aren't going to sprint here. You saw that correctly. Lorena called of her own accord to say that she is willing to help.
"She is going to commit herself from the start and organise things. She chose to do that on her own initiative. It's not like I floated the idea to her; she called me herself with that request."
Less attrition as contenders line up
With less attrition than the Montreal circuit, ten Dam hinted that the Dutch could try to make it more difficult for Vollering's rivals. Her same rivals from the World Championships are set to challenge in Slovenia.
"It is different here. The competitors will probably be able to follow us more easily. That is why it will simply be a different race. But of course, I am not going to reveal too much of our tactics. With the riders we have at the start, we can certainly make it a tough race.
“The usual names. They are the same riders you expected before the World Championships. Think of Elisa Longo Borghini , Marlen Reusser , and Kasia Niewiadoma. I think those riders are simply going to play a role here as well.”
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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