Demi Vollering is the big favourite along with Lotte Kopecky for the Women’s Elite World Championships in Zürich, set to take place on Saturday. However, she has no issues with this status, as she explained to our camera.
“It’s wonderful to be the top favourite, and I hope I can deliver. But I’m not the only one. Lotte Kopecky is also a strong contender, and the course suits Kasia Niewiadoma and Elisa Longo Borghini as well. My own teammates, Marianne Vos and Puck Pieterse, are also capable on this course,” Vollering pointed out.
This is the first time she is heading to a World Championship in that role. “I didn’t participate in Australia due to a COVID infection. Last year, I came second, but it wasn’t my kind of course. This is the first World Championship that suits me, where I am the team leader. It’s something new and beautiful. I’ve dreamed about it many times. I really hope it happens someday.”
What does Vollering expect from the course? “For the youth, it was already a very tough course. I think if it rains, it will add an extra challenge. It’s also crucial to stay at the front with the whole Netherlands team. You can’t lose focus because it’s a lap where anything can happen at any point. You can’t really relax, and it’s very twisty after the climbs.”
Does living in Switzerland make it extra special? “Of course. I didn’t move to Switzerland for no reason. I think it’s a beautiful country, I love training here, and we have a lovely apartment. I feel at home here, and amidst the chaos, it’s nice to come back to peace. That’s very important for me. But I don’t train much in the Zürich region.”
Finally, Lotte Kopecky mentioned in the Belgian press conference that ‘the Dutch women don’t always get along’ and ‘several ladies can and want to win’. What does Vollering think of that?
“Lotte should keep thinking that. I have a lot of confidence in my teammates that we’ll make it a great race. It’s exciting; there are some new girls I haven’t ridden with as teammates before. But they are easygoing, and I get along well with them. We’ll put on a great show.”
