Demi Vollering relieved after long-awaited victory: “It was always just not”

Demi Vollering hit a double on Thursday in the Vuelta Femenina. It was the first time this season that she crossed the finish line as the winner. A relief, she acknowledged in the flash interview afterwards.

“I already felt very strong this season, but it was still just not enough,” Vollering began. “I was on the podium a few times, but it was a long wait for that victory. But I’m glad I could do it here.”

From red-white-blue to red
Vollering won as Dutch champion in red-white-blue, which made it extra special for her. “Last year I was already Dutch champion, but then I wore the jersey of classification leader in the UCI classification. I won a lot of victories then, but never in this beautiful jersey. That was my goal this year. I wanted to win at least a few times in the Dutch champion jersey before the National Championships would come around again. I am very happy that I now at least have a nice finish photo with this jersey.”

Vollering will not ride in red, white and blue on Friday, because she is the new leader in the Vuelta Femenina and will therefore wear red. “I now have to exchange this shirt again,” laughed the SD Worx-Protime rider. “But the red leader’s jersey is also very nice. I hope I can keep it until the end.”

Giving everything down to the last detail
Vollering seized power by forcing herself on the final climb and throwing her opponents overboard one by one. “I just took the head. I felt very good and kept going, because I noticed that Elisa (Longo Borghini, ed.) was having a hard time in my wheel. Then I thought: I’m just going to give it my all, hoping that I could get some time on her. That worked, so that’s very nice. Hopefully there will be a few more good days for our team.”