"The other teams are becoming more cunning and smarter" - Demi Vollering sees SD Worx's dominance diminished heading into Tour de France Femmes defence

The leading general classification rider in the women's peloton, Demi Vollering finally got her hands on the Maillot Jaune of the Tour de France Femmes in 2023. In just a few days (race starts August 12th ed.), her title defence will begin at the 2024 edition.

Whilst in past years, Vollering's Team SD Worx - Protime came into the biggest race on the women's calendar with almost all-conquering dominance, this year, the wins have been more spread out across the peloton despite the likes of Lotte Kopecky, Lorena Wiebes and Vollering herself still starring across the season to date.

"In terms of tactics, the other teams are becoming more cunning and smarter," the defending Maillot Jaune winner admits in quotes collected by Wielerrevue. "Elisa Longo Borghini and Katarzyna Niewiadoma were always strong, but now they are also supported by a strong collective. That is a big change."

Unlike some of the other top competitors however, Team SD Worx-Protime will be balancing both general classification hopes and bunch sprint aim as well and both Vollering and Wiebes are expected to combine. For Vollering however, this won't be an issue with the 27-year-old even willing to contribute to the sprint train herself if needed. "I don't see any danger in that," she explains. "If I work for Lorena in the Tour, those other GC riders have to work too. Because if the peloton breaks and I'm at the front and they're not, they'll have a problem too."

Whilst Vollering remains the undisputed general classification leader of Team SD Worx-Protime for now, her future is very much in the unknown. She will leave, that much is clear. But where Vollering will ride in 2025 hasn't yet been revealed. "I get asked about my future a few times a day. It's bizarre to experience that. The sport is growing with me," she concludes, remaining tight lipped. "In my first professional year in 2019, women's cycling was already being broadcast more and more and from that moment on it went very quickly. As female riders, we are now being watched very closely."