Demi Vollering has opened up about one of the most challenging moments of her career during the 2024 Tour de France Femmes. The Dutch rider revealed on Instagram that the infamous race-defining crash two days prior to the 7th stage which ended in Le Grand-Bornand had left her physically and mentally vulnerable. Despite finishing third that day, Vollering said the experience was a personal victory.
โThat was one of the toughest days of my career,โ she admitted. โPhysically, I was still recovering from a crash two days earlier. Mentally, I was weighed down by pressureโfrom the media, my team,
my loved ones, and myself.โ Vollering described the mental toll, saying that although she tried to stay positive, she felt scared and uncertain as anxiety began to take hold during the race.
The day in question saw Vollering hit what she referred to as a โbreaking point,โ explaining, โItโs hard to describe what it felt like, but anxiety took over, and my thoughts spiralled. I couldnโt focus. I felt like I was letting everyone down. For the first time, I couldnโt just power through it alone.โ
In an emotional revelation, Vollering shared that she sought support from her teammate Mischa Bredewold during this low point. โEven though I couldnโt fully explain what I was feeling, just saying โIโm not okayโ helped ease the weight I was carrying,โ she wrote. Vollering credited Bredewoldโs response for helping her through the moment: โMischa didnโt try to fix it or brush it off; she simply stayed with me, reminding me that itโs okay to feel overwhelmed and that I wasnโt alone.โ
The crash earlier in the Tour had left Vollering on the back foot, ultimately costing her the leaderโs jersey. Despite losing out on the overall win by just four seconds, she viewed the stage as a meaningful triumph. Reflecting on her experience, she noted, โThat day, I realised how important it is to talk about what weโre going through. Anxiety can make you feel stuck and isolated, but sharing your feelingsโeven when itโs hardโcan be the first step toward relief.โ
Later that day, Vollering revealed another factor contributing to her struggle: she had started her period. She explained how hormonal changes amplified her emotions, adding to the pressures of the race. โItโs a reminder that our bodies and minds are deeply connected, and sometimes, things are just beyond our control,โ she said.
Looking back, Vollering described the day as one of her biggest wins, not just for her third-place finish but for overcoming one of the hardest moments of her career. โFor me, this might have been my most meaningful personal victory in the entire Tour de France Femmes,โ she concluded.
In a message to others dealing with similar challenges, Vollering urged: โIf you can, talk to someone you trust. Even a small conversation can make a difference. Be kind to yourself. Itโs okay to feel overwhelmed, and you donโt need to have it all figured out. Remember, itโs not about fixing everything at onceโitโs about taking small steps forward, at your own pace.โ
Main photo credit: ASO