No concussion: Demi Vollering will continue racing the Tour de France Femmes

Demi Vollering will continue racing in the Tour de France Femmes after fears of a concussion were ruled out by a second round of medical tests on Tuesday morning. The Dutch GC contender, who won the race in 2023, suffered a violent crash during the final moments of stage 3, leading to immediate concern for her health and her place in the race.

"This morning, new medical tests and a second concussion protocol were performed on Demi," her team confirmed. "These showed that there is no risk of a concussion. Demi will therefore start in today's stage. The team will remain vigilant and will continue to monitor her situation."

Monday’s crash at the stage 3 finish involved several riders, with Vollering caught up in the chaos. The 2023 Tour champion was visibly shaken and in tears as she crossed the line, assisted by her teammates and far behind the stage winner, Lorena Wiebes.

An official medical update shortly after the stage raised alarms. Vollering had been taken directly to the team bus and then to the hospital, with significant pain and questions over whether her Tour was effectively over. Her role as one of the race’s top favourites hung in the balance overnight.

Despite Tuesday morning’s reassuring diagnosis, it remains uncertain how the crash will affect her overall performance in the days ahead. While no concussion was detected, the physical toll of the impact, and the emotional shock of nearly losing the Tour in an instant, will not be easy to shake. The Dutchwoman looked in severe discomfort in the aftermath of yesterday’s crash, and won’t have shaken off her wounds entirely overnight.

Her team emphasised that they will continue to monitor her condition throughout the remainder of the race. For now, Vollering remains in contention, but with the Tour’s hardest stages still to come, her fitness will be tested like never before.