"She should show a bit more respect" - Lotte Kopecky hits back at former teammate Demi Vollering

After four seasons, Demi Vollering is departing Team SD Worx - Protime for a new challenge at FDJ - Suez ahead of the 2025 season. Given the fallout following the announcement of the transfer though, it seems the parties aren't separating on the best of terms.

In a blockbuster interview with NRC recently, Vollering did not hold back with her opinions, giving special criticism to world champion Lotte Kopecky. “I think she tried to avoid me a bit, she was more focused on herself. She was very focused on next year, when I am no longer there.” Vollering said of her former teammate, blaming the team themselves for this dynamic in part. “The entire season, when I rode a race with Lotte, we raced with two plans. A plan for Lotte, a plan for Demi. But I just need a strict tactic.”

Now though, Kopecky herself has replied and seemingly, the Belgian is not very impressed by Vollering's comments. “I think it’s completely unnecessary to start kicking people now," begins the 29-year-old in conversation with HLN. "I think Demi should remember that this team has given her a lot. Demi is a really good rider, but this team has brought her to where she is now and I hope she is very grateful for that and then she should show a bit more respect for that.”

In 2023, the duo of Vollering and Kopecky were at their absolute peak, dominating the Classics together and even combining for a one-two finish at that year's Tour de France as Vollering grasped the Maillot Jaune from the hands of the legendary Annemiek van Vleuten. This year though, while still successful, things have been a bit more difficult. “We rode a spring in which things didn’t go great for Demi. She was fortunately able to make up for that in the Spanish races afterwards, but I think it’s not my fault that she didn’t perform well in the spring. Afterwards we rode separate programs. She aimed for the Tour, I for the Giro and the Games,” Kopecky explains.

“The first time we met with the team after the spring was in Romandie, where Demi said she was aiming for the general classification and I also said I wanted to go for the overall victory. I think that's where it went wrong for Demi," the Belgian continues. "I think it's a shame that she makes these statements, because she told me a whole story in Romandie about her wedding plans. So it's not like we haven't talked to each other anymore... Maybe her boiling point is just lower than mine?”

“I don’t know what exactly is bothering her. I’ve always had a good relationship with Demi. Even after that incident in the Strade Bianche 2023 that was written about a lot. We always laughed about it within the team," Kopecky concludes. "Because we saw it differently than the media saw it, and Demi and I still got along perfectly well. Even after that, I never felt that our relationship was not good anymore. I hope that we can still treat each other with respect in the future, at least that is certainly the case for me. I hope that Demi will do that too."