On Sunday 5 April, Demi Vollering wrote one of the finest chapters in the team’s history by winning the Tour of Flanders in a solo breakaway. It was a masterclass in strength orchestrated by an unbeatable team, securing the team its very first ‘Ronde’.
After a nervous start in Oudenaarde, the race was marred by a massive crash 47 kilometres from the finish, forcing several favourites to abandon the race. Following this incident, the team took charge at the front of the peloton.
The team effort began with Célia Géry and Elise Chabbey, who set a brisk pace to whittle down the leading group. With 32 kilometres to go, on the Taaienberg, Franziska Koch launched a powerful attack. In her wake, only Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime), Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech), Pauline Ferrand-Prévôt (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Demi Vollering were initially able to keep up, before a group of thirteen riders formed.
The final breakaway came on the climb up Vieux Quaremont, 18 kilometres from the finish line. After a final turn at the front by Franziska Koch, Demi Vollering launched a decisive attack and quickly opened up a gap on her pursuers, Pauline Ferrand-Prévôt and Puck Pieterse, who were unable to match the Dutch rider’s pace.
Demi rode the final few kilometres alone, managing her lead to win by a margin of 42 seconds over the chasing pair. Behind her, Lotte Kopecky won the sprint for fourth place, more than a minute behind the winner.
Having won Strade Bianche, Liège–Bastogne–Liège, La Flèche Wallonne and the Amstel Gold Race, Demi has finally added the ‘Ronde’ to his list of victories. For the team, this success marks a significant milestone in its history, as it had never before won a cobbled Monument.
Classement final :
- Demi Vollering (FDJ UNITED-SUEZ) — on his own
- Pauline Ferrand-Prévôt (Visma-Lease a Bike) at 42”
- Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech) m.t.
- Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) at 1’04”