Last yr Demi Vollering set the bar excessive when she walked away from the Ardennes Classics with a clear sweep so as to add to her already profitable season begin which included a Strade Bianche victory, so leaving the spring one-day races in 2024 with out even one title defence clearly hasn’t been straightforward.
Sunday’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège represented her final likelihood, however it was once more a close to miss for the SD Worx-Protime rider who remains to be searching for her first win on the season. After she was overwhelmed within the small group dash to the road by Grace Brown (FDJ-Suez) and Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek), it was solely third place within the Monument for Vollering, so as to add to her second at La Flèche Wallonne Femmes.
“It was a unique spring,” Vollering mirrored in an Instagram post late on Wednesday. “Not what I hoped for… And I do know, nonetheless some good podiums which I will be proud on, however that’s not what I aimed for. I additionally know that’s biking, generally you win, a lot of the instances you lose.
“Last Sunday was painful. I felt so good, and to finish my favourite race like this was only a huge disappointment. I believed again of my first professional yr 2019, the place I used to be so extremely proud of a 3th place. But it isn’t sufficient anymore, additionally as a result of I do know I can do higher.”
Vollering is heading into 2024 on the again of a season the place she not solely delivered spectacularly on the one-day races but additionally seized the coveted yellow jersey of the Tour de France Femmes winner.
The collection of highs, nonetheless, have not flowed over to a brand new yr and on prime of that there was appreciable dialogue about her future plans, with the world’s prime staff confirming that it expects Vollering to maneuver on subsequent yr.
“With the top of the spring season, I may go away this unquiet begin of the season behind me,” stated Vollering. “I do know each one retains asking me about my future, however I can’t inform my story now, I’ll let you know when I’m prepared for it.”
For now, she has different issues to deal with, with a race that might ship redemption, La Vuelta España Femenina, which begins on April 28.
Last yr she misplaced the purple jersey to Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar) on the second-last stage after an ill-timed nature break. This yr the three-time defending champion has retired and Vollering, who has completed second and third on the race the final two years, seems to be a possible successor.
“Now the main target is already on the following objectives,” stated Vollering. “The disappointments is not going to cease me, it solely motivates me to do higher.”
