"It’s really disappointing" - Dutch journalist questions Demi Vollering's post time trial statements
Cycling
Demi Vollering went into the World Championships time trial
in Kigali as one of the leading favourites. She had been targeting the rainbow
jersey and, given her form and undeniable talent, many expected her to push
Marlen Reusser for the win on a course that featured hills. Instead, the Dutch
rider had to settle for bronze behind Reusser and Anna van der Breggen.
Afterward, Vollering was candid about her struggles on the demanding Rwandan
course.
“The air quality is different here of course, but I didn’t
struggle too much with the heat itself. My heart rate was just really high
today, and I need to sit down, review everything and see what it was. But I
think everybody struggled. If I can be third with these legs, then it shows how
hard it was for everyone.”
That statement has already stirred discussion in the
Netherlands. On the podcast In Het Wiel, Roxane Knetemann reflected on
Vollering’s words and the bigger picture. “Afterwards, you heard from Vollering
that the values she achieved were completely unrepresentative of the European
country. She actually meant to say they were incredibly bad, but she still came
in third with them,” Knetemann began.
Knetemann sympathised with her compatriot’s disappointment.
“She simply came for so much more than that bronze medal. So it’s really
disappointing. But let’s be honest: she rode a resounding first leg. By the
second intermediate point, you could already see on the video that she was
really struggling.”
From there, Knetemann said the footage told its own story.
“You can see her struggling and finding a rhythm. If you ride that well and get
onto the podium, I think you’re riding a very good time trial.”
Still, she noted a recurring pattern in Vollering’s
post-race explanations. “You know what I think about that... In the Tour, she
actually started talking about how her rival is far too thin in her opinion and
that she’d rather not be skin and bones. Now she’s not winning and she’s having
physical problems.”
For Knetemann, part of this is simply the reality of
top-level sport. “Yes, that’s all part of elite sports. If your period is just
starting or if it’s... we don’t know that here. But then it’s incredibly
frustrating, of course. I think that’s true: if you’re experiencing so much
discomfort and this is your big goal for the week, it’s pretty frustrating.”
She also wondered whether Vollering could address some of
the issues more directly. “Couldn’t you see a doctor to see what you can do
about it? It can’t be that every time you want to peak, you might be hindered
by your menstrual cycle. I’m speaking as someone who has no problems with her
cycle,” she added.
Looking at the bigger picture, Knetemann argued that
Vollering sometimes searches too much for explanations. “Vollering’s statements
after races often echo the same sentiment. I just think there’s always
something that’s stopping her from doing it right. It could just be that this
is just her form today, and there’s no explaining why. She’s riding a fantastic
time trial for me, and she’s fighting for what she’s worth. Period. Saturday is
another day.”
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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