Tom Dumoulin questions FDJ – Suez tactics at Amstel Gold Race: “Didn’t you put your cards on the wrong person?”

Tom Dumoulin has expressed strong criticism of FDJ – Suez and Demi Vollering’s performance at the Amstel Gold Race, following a surprising turn of events in the women’s edition of the Dutch Classic.

Rather than being shaped by the pre-race favourites, the race saw a large group of shadow contenders break away and battle it out for victory. Notably absent from the group was Vollering, but her teammates Juliette Labous and Amber Kraak were present. Their decision to push on left Dumoulin baffled.

Speaking to NOS, the former Giro d’Italia winner said, "I didn't understand it at all. We had that group of more than 20 men ahead, with all the shadow favorites together. But not the absolute top favorites."

Dumoulin singled out FDJ – Suez's tactics in particular, "Vollering was not there on behalf of FDJ, but we did see Amber Kraak riding at full speed in the lead. While she only has Labous as her second rider.

“And that while SD Worx is there with three men. Including Lorena Wiebes, who you certainly do not want to take with you to the finish. So they did gamble that Labous would drop Wiebes and actually everyone else anyway."

While Labous managed to momentarily distance Wiebes, it wasn’t enough, "She rode Wiebes off on the Geulhemmerberg, but then she doesn't get away alone. And then you end up in a situation where you see the race slipping out of your hands and Labous ends up fourth in the sprint and then you have nothing," Dumoulin continued.

He questioned the logic behind leading the chase when Vollering, their top rider, was not in the front group, "If there are three men from SD Worx and you have your absolute leader – Vollering – in the group behind, then as far as I'm concerned you can tell SD Worx that they can sort it out themselves. They didn't do that. They took control of the race with two men. To be completely honest, I didn't understand it."

Looking back at how the race ended, Dumoulin suggested FDJ–Suez may have backed the wrong strategy, "I am very curious to hear what team manager Lars Boom has to say about this. Vollering does win among the favorites.

“She rode away on the Cauberg and crossed the finish line with a slight lead over the rest. Vollering appears to be the best of the favorites. Didn't you put your cards on the wrong person?"