"She has a lot to learn about tactics": Dutch ex-pro advices Demi Vollering to work on her weakness

Few riders in women's cycling are as criticized as Demi Vollering. It has only taken one "regular" year of the FDJ - Suez superstar for the Dutchwoman to be practically always in the negative spotlight of "experts" and analysts. The latest to speak out was Jip van den Bos, although he was more muted in his comments.

Earlier this week, during the Wielergala in Utrecht, the cyclist stated that Vollering should not be judged solely on her performance in the Tour de France Femmes. There, Demi clearly lost to Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, the best cyclist of the season. However, she did not stop there, as she criticized that the European champion needs to improve in one aspect.

"You can't say at all that Demi Vollering has had a bad year. I think she wins every Spanish stage race she races. Itzulia, Catalunya, Valencia, the Vuelta.... And she comes second in the Tour," she began by pointing out.

"She didn't ride a bad Tour de France. She wasn't as good as Ferrand-Prévot, but it was a solid Tour. Plus, she was European champion. Of course I would prefer to win the World Championships and the Tour, but it wasn't a bad year," she added before focusing on the downside.

Van den Bos allowed herself to give Demi Vollering some advice, after praising a year that fell short of expectations, but which was not bad and was rounded off with the aforementioned European Championships:

"I think there's a lot to learn tactically for her. And I think it's interesting for her to look back. Especially looking at how she raced in the Tour, she could have made different tactical decisions that would have given her more wins."

"For example, the final stage, which Ferrand-Prévot wins. Vollering attacks the final climb, knowing that she is the weakest uphill rider. Basically, she's giving the red carpet to Ferrand-Prévot to attack again and leave everyone behind. Whereas Vollering was probably the fastest in the sprint," she concluded.

Whether she is right or wrong, Demi Vollering is a cyclist who aspires every year to win the Women's Tour de France. In 2025 it could not be, but what is certain is that in 2026 she will be back with everything to regain the lost throne.