How Demi Vollering lost the yellow jersey in post-crash chaos

This-roundabout-was-very-dangerous-Bredewold-unhappy-with-course-as-crash-evaporates-Vollerings-lead-at-Tour-de-France-Femmes

The Tour de France Femmes took a dramatic turn during the final kilometres of stage 5 as overnight leader Demi Vollering crashed with 6km to go on the stage, losing her grip on the yellow jersey. The SD Worx-ProTime rider hit the deck with just over 6km remaining, a high-speed fall that saw her slip to ninth in the overall standings, now trailing new race leader Kasia Niewiadoma by 1:19.

For much of the 152.5km stage from Bastogne to Amnรฉville, the Dutchwoman appeared to be on course to retain her position at the top of the general classification. However, disaster struck as the peloton approached a sharp bend following a roundabout. Vollering, along with several others, was unable to navigate the corner safely, resulting in a mass pile-up. The crash left her with abrasions to her left side, and though she managed to remount her bike, she finished the day nearly two minutes down on her teammate and stage winner Blanka Vas.

SD Worx-ProTimeโ€™s sports manager Danny Stam described the final moments as chaotic, noting that the team only realised Vollering had gone down after some riders had their radios fail and unclear messages from the race organisation during the crash. โ€œIt was a pretty normal day until the last six kilometres,โ€ Stam remarked. โ€œWe were targeting the stage win with Lorena [Wiebes], and then suddenly, we heard about the crash on the radio. We didn’t know Demi was involved until it was too late to act. By the time Mischa [Bredewold] could drop back, there wasnโ€™t much she could do.โ€

Volleringโ€™s teammate Bredewold was also critical of the course design, saying, โ€œThat roundabout was really dangerous, and the corner wasnโ€™t signed well enough. We were going at 65 km/h, and there was no way to see it coming. I was on the front and nearly crashed myself.โ€

Blanka Vas, who was unaware of her leaderโ€™s predicament due to malfunctioning equipment, crossed the finish line first, securing her biggest victory to date. โ€œThis wasnโ€™t the plan; we were supposed to sprint with Lorena,โ€ Vas admitted. โ€œBut when I saw I was the only one in front, I just went for it. I had no idea Demi had crashed until after the finish.โ€

Meanwhile, Niewiadoma, who moved into the yellow jersey, expressed a mix of emotions following the stage. โ€œI didnโ€™t know a crash had happened,โ€ she explained. โ€œI thought the field just split on the descent, which can happen. We were all racing for the win. Itโ€™s not something we celebrate, but itโ€™s part of racing.โ€

Vollering, visibly shaken at the finish, acknowledged the severity of the crash but remained hopeful about her chances in the upcoming mountain stages. โ€œGiven how fast I was going, Iโ€™m thankful I didnโ€™t break any bones,โ€ she said. โ€œIโ€™ll need to see how I feel tomorrow, but I plan to continue.โ€

With three stages left, including the crucial climbs at La Grand Bornand and Alpe dโ€™Huez, the fight for yellow is far from over. Volleringโ€™s team will need to work hard to claw back the deficit as Niewiadoma prepares to defend her lead in the mountains.

Main photo credit: Getty