The Dutch team is gearing up for the women’s road race at the Paris Olympics on 4th August, with Lorena Wiebes named as the team leader. However, the spotlight also shines on her experienced teammates, Demi Vollering and Marianne Vos, who bring their own strengths and strategies to the table.
Demi Vollering, who narrowly missed a medal in the time trial, is set to play a crucial supporting role. Despite her disappointment, Vollering remains focused and positive about her performance. “I am still a bit preoccupied with it, but not overly so. After the time trial, I think I was quite emotional and somewhat disappointed. But later, I realised what a good time trial I had ridden,” she told our camera. Vollering added, “It’s nice to hear from Loes [Gunnewijk] that I took the corners well, because I felt I was too slow through them. It gives a good feeling to know you gave it your all. I’m very satisfied with my performance.”
Reflecting on her preparation, Vollering shared that she continued training rigorously after the time trial. “I trained. Sunday, after visiting the King, I was back on the bike for five hours. My boyfriend was there, which was nice to go out together. A few days of reduced focus. Monday, we went to the Olympic Village, and I also visited the Nike Athlete House. Doing different things was fun.”
Regarding her role in the upcoming road race, Vollering is comfortable with Wiebes taking the lead. “It’s not exactly my parcours. I find it very logical that Lorena is the leader, because if you take her to the finish line, you are almost certain to get a great result. There are many other strong riders we need to watch closely. I think racing more freely isn’t necessarily a bad role. But I am also focused on getting Lorena safely to the finish line,” Vollering explained.
Marianne Vos, a veteran in her fifth Olympic Games, is also integral to the Dutch strategy. Fresh from victories in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Dwars door Vlaanderen, and Amstel Gold Race this spring, Vos is once again at the top of her game. “The Olympics have always had a very big impact. As an athlete, it is still magical to experience. The highs and lows, everything is part of it. It is very special,” she remarked.
Vos emphasised the importance of learning from past experiences, particularly avoiding scenarios like in Tokyo, where Austria’s Anna Kiesenhofer surprised the favourites. “We prefer not to end up in a situation where we completely lose control. Those are things we have evaluated well from Tokyo, such as where we made mistakes. On the other hand, we know there is a lot of competition from other countries. We have to rely on our own strengths, but also not fixate on one scenario or race from the past. We will go into a new race with determination,” Vos stated.
Vollering and Vos both acknowledge the necessity for multiple strategies. Vollering noted, “It fully depends on how the race unfolds. I’m not going to give away everything we’ve planned beforehand. So many scenarios can play out. It might be an easy race from the start, with everyone handling Montmartre easily. If it’s intense from the beginning, the race could split there. We need to be in position, but Lorena can handle those climbs too.”
Vos echoed this sentiment, highlighting the unpredictability of cycling. “The parcours is very interesting, with various possible scenarios. That makes it special. You can discuss a thousand scenarios, and yet another one might happen. That’s what makes cycling beautiful, the unpredictability. I find it fascinating.”
The Dutch team, managed by national coach Loes Gunnewijk, is well-prepared and versatile. While Wiebes is the designated leader, the collective strength of Vollering, Vos, and other top cyclists like Ellen van Dijk ensures that the team can adapt and respond to the race’s demands. With a focus on teamwork and flexibility, the Dutch squad aims to leverage their combined strengths to secure a gold medal.
