Demi Vollering has revealed she was involved in a training crash near Benidorm, sustaining cuts to her hand and abrasions to her chin, after an incident on a descent during a ride in Spain.
The Dutch rider shared details of the crash via Instagram Stories, posting images of her bike on the roadside alongside photos of her injuries. Vollering confirmed cuts to the heel of her hand and a finger, while also joking about the visible abrasion to her chin.
“Tried to kiss the tarmac, can tell. Don’t try…” she wrote, alongside an image of her face after the fall.
“The day didn’t finish so well”
In the hours following the incident, Vollering added further context, explaining that while she was grateful for the support she received, the crash was a sobering reminder of how exposed riders remain when training on open roads.
“Thanks to the three cars who passed me and didn’t even ask if I was okay,” Vollering wrote. “It gives me a lot of confidence in humanity… #not.”
She added that the experience reinforced how disconnected road users can be from situations unfolding around them.
“It’s a reminder for me that lots of people are too busy in their own world.”
Vollering did, however, single out one cyclist who stopped to help, as well as her team staff, who arrived at the scene as quickly as possible.
“Just very thankful to the one cyclist who stopped to check with me,” she wrote, before adding: “And also very happy that my team was there as fast as they could.”
Ironic timing after downhill-focused social media post
The crash comes just a day after Vollering’s team posted a video on Instagram captioned “Flying downhill”, an unfortunate coincidence given the nature of the incident. While no serious injuries have been reported, the timing underlines the fine margins riders face during winter training blocks, particularly on fast descents.
Training camps around Benidorm and the Costa Blanca remain popular with WorldTour riders due to favourable weather and varied terrain, but Vollering’s experience highlights the ongoing risks posed by traffic and limited driver awareness.
Injuries appear minor, training expected to resume cautiously
At this stage, Vollering’s injuries appear to be superficial, with cuts and abrasions rather than fractures or more serious trauma. There has been no indication of long-term impact on her training plans, though the rider suggested the session itself ended on a sour note.
The incident adds to a growing number of reminders from riders across the peloton about safety during training, particularly during the off-season and early preparation phases when traffic levels remain high and riders are sharing roads with unaware motorists.
For Vollering, the message was clear: gratitude for those who do stop and help, frustration at those who do not, and a stark reminder of how quickly a routine training ride can change.
