Thanks in part to the dominance of Demi Vollering and Lotte Kopecky in 2023, it's almost a surprise now when Team SD Worx-Protime don't take victory, as happened last Saturday at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.
Despite taking to the startline with an all-star lineup that included Demi Vollering, Lotte Kopecky and Lorena Wiebes among others, it was Team Visma | Lease a Bike's Marianne Vos who took the win. “You can't win everything," reflected Vollering in conversation with Wielerflits. “Normally you lose more often in cycling than you win. Last year was a season where it was the other way around for us. It really sucks, but in the end you learn more when you lose. I think we learned a lot today. Hopefully we will come back stronger from this."
Vollering's own future has been up in the air recently with a reported record-bid being prepared by UAE Team-ADQ of one million euros for her services. "My future? I don't know much about that yet. I am mainly focusing on this season,” she says keeping quiet on the speculation. “There are still so many great races, there is still a whole season to go.”
Her Rainbow Jersey-wearing, superstar teammate Lotte Kopecky will be sticking around though, as the Belgian has recently signed a new deal with Team SD Worx-Protime. “I am very happy for Lotte. It's a nice contract she signed. Lotte is in her place, so that is very nice.”