After the frustration of crashing and shedding the yellow simply 24 hours in the past, Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) bounced again with a robust displaying on stage 6 of the Tour de France Femmes, marking key strikes and never shedding any time en path to Morteau along with her legs feeling again to regular.
Vollering went down in a mass crash after the exit of a roundabout on stage 5 and misplaced 1:53 to new race chief Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM), with the group later confirming that whereas she had sustained “minor bruising and superficial abrasions to her decrease again and buttock”, she would possible begin the sixth stage.
With the unknown severity of her accidents, Vollering began the day in Remiremont with a want to relaxation and get better but additionally not add to the 1:19 deficit she at the moment has on the Polish rider.
“Today I simply needed to have a great day, survive a bit, loosen up a bit and get better in direction of tomorrow,” Vollering instructed Cyclingnews and Velo.
“I’m very motivated to get yellow again so right this moment I attempted to remain calm as a lot as potential and to present the legs a bit little bit of relaxation for the approaching two days.”
With Niamh Fisher-Black and Christine Majerus away within the 18-rider breakaway, Vollering was allowed to relaxation within the secure bubble of her remaining teammates’ firm till the tough-fought last, with SD Worx not being checked out to tempo.
“Today was good to not have yellow in order that they don’t seem to be trying to us when one thing goes and also you don’t want to shut something,” mentioned DS Anna van der Breggen to Cyclingnews and TV2.
The newest race content material, interviews, options, critiques and knowledgeable shopping for guides, direct to your inbox!
“After yesterday’s stage, we wanted to see how Demi was doing and the way she was using. So we didn’t put any stress on her right this moment. It was a stage that we wanted to return by means of and I need to say, it seemed good, Demi was feeling fairly OK after yesterday.”
Vollering shared an identical sentiment on the job Fisher-Black had executed within the break, albeit with the Kiwi lacking out on victory after she and Grace Brown have been reeled in over the ultimate climb.
“We hoped that Niamh may make it to the end with Grace Brown after which she may go for the win after all,” Vollering mentioned. “It was unhappy that they did not keep out but it surely was good as a result of you then don’t must do something behind so it was an ideal day for us really.”
The Dutch GC star confirmed she slept effectively – “Quite okay really” – on Thursday, regardless of the big street rash on the again of her left leg, along with her responses to strikes made by Juliette Labous (DSM-Firmenich PostNL) and Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck) within the last coming with out hesitation.
“I believe the legs have been nonetheless positive so I’m blissful,” mentioned Vollering, who confirmed what an emotional “rollercoaster” the previous 24 hours had been after the panic of the crash and the disastrous day SD Worx-Protime endured.
“Sometimes [they are] a little bit of a rollercoaster, like I’m tremendous motivated after which after all you are feeling some insecurities,” mentioned Vollering as she described her emotions.
“You’re offended about what occurred and disenchanted, so feelings go all the way in which. But largely, me and my group are motivated for the approaching two days to attempt to get yellow again.”
She’ll hope to have every part in test heading into the ultimate weekend of levels, a duo of brutal summit finally ends up Le Grand-Bornand and Alpe d’Huez. But Van der Breggen remains to be assured that defending her title is feasible.
“Of course I’m, sure!,” mentioned Van der Breggen when requested if she was optimistic for yellow. “You know what two levels are nonetheless arising and if Demi can get better effectively, then we all know when it’s actually onerous uphill and she or he has vitality then lots can occur. So you by no means quit.
“We must see how Demi recovers right this moment, I believe that can say lots – in the event you can deal with a stage like this after which get better effectively, then for positive she’s as much as the combat.”
While each Vollering and Van der Breggen have been equally spurred on by the previous’s sturdy time out within the Vosges and Jura mountains on Friday, the prospect of over 3,000m of elevation acquire and a Grand Bornand summit finale is way more daunting – even for the most effective climber on this planet.
“I believe I do know it fairly effectively. It’s a very onerous stage so I’m additionally a bit scared for it,” mentioned Vollering having executed two recons of the 7.1km climb pre-race. “But If I’m scared for it, then I’m positive way more are scared for it.”