Ellen van Dijk’s preparation for the Olympics has been far from ideal. The Dutch cyclist, aiming for gold in the individual time trial, broke her ankle in early June. Despite this setback, she believes she still has a chance at a medal. Speaking with Wielerflits, Van Dijk shared her thoughts on her current form.
“Iโve trained throughout my career with the understanding that there’s no perfect path, and this is the ultimate example,” Van Dijk began. “But Iโm here now. Iโm super happy to be here and that it worked out despite everything.”
Van Dijk is still chasing an Olympic medal. She missed out in Rio de Janeiro due to a mistake, and she wasnโt selected for Tokyo. “I have an Olympic dream that hasnโt come true yet. I was very close in Rio, but it didnโt happen. That still lingers. I knew I had the level for it. Since then, Iโve always felt like I still want to achieve it. Not making the selection for Tokyo was incredibly disappointing, but I thought: I still have a chance in Paris. A lot has happened in the meantime, but the chance is still there.”
Reflecting on her journey, she added, “If I can win something here… Given how these past weeks have gone, standing here at all was far from expected. Iโm thoroughly enjoying things going so well now. I hope to show something great on Saturday, but it’s really hard to predict. I will just do my utmost best.”
Vollering eyes Olympic time trial in Paris
Demi Vollering, after several weeks without racing, is set to compete in the Olympic time trial in Paris this Saturday. However, she is cautious about predicting her performance. “It’s hard to say,” she told the camera of Wielerflits. “I haven’t ridden many major time trials in my life, and certainly not such flat ones. Normally, that’s not something that should suit me very well. But I’ve found that I do well if the distance is longer. Still, it’s difficult for me to say: I know for sure that I’ll achieve this or that result. For me, it’s also going to be quite an experience.”
Current levels and challenges
Both Van Dijk and Vollering face the uncertainty of predicting their chances on the challenging 32.4-kilometre course in Paris. Van Dijk assessed her current form, saying, “Iโm good, but not as good as I had dreamed. If things had gone ideally, I would have mapped out a different path. But my performance data shows that I am at a good level. Iโm at a level where I have a chance for a medal, but how big that chance is? Itโs very hard to predict.”
Vollering describes the course as fast but demanding. “It’s flat with quite a few long, straight sections. But there are no parts where you can really relax because the asphalt is very poor, especially at the beginning and the end. You have to stay very focused on where you’re riding and can’t really get into a good rhythm.”
Olympics atmosphere and expectations
This year, both riders are feeling the Olympic spirit more acutely than in previous years. Vollering recalled the difference from the Tokyo Games, saying, “Back then, we were in lockdown and hadn’t been in the city beforehand. It was really special to explore the time trial course yesterday. In the middle of Paris, everything was cordoned off. There were a lot of people watching, which makes you realise that it’s something completely different from a usual European or World Championships. We’re staying outside the Olympic village. I hope I get a chance in the next two weeks to walk around and see what it’s like.”
Van Dijk, despite her injury, remains optimistic and focused on the opportunity ahead. “If I can win something here… Given how these past weeks have gone, standing here at all was far from expected. Iโm thoroughly enjoying things going so well now. I hope to show something great on Saturday, but it’s really hard to predict. I will just do my utmost best.”