Tour de France Femmes: How Demi Vollering lost lead amid 'huge drama' as Blanka Vas says her radio 'was not working'

Published 15/08/2024 at 17:21 GMT

There was drama on Stage 5 of the Tour de France Femmes as race leader Demi Vollering crashed with around 6km to go. Vollering was not helped out by many SD Worx-Protime team-mates and Breakaway expert Dani Rowe was surprised by the tactics. Vollering's team-mate Mischa Bredewold said she had "mixed feelings" about the stage while Blanka Vas said her radio was not working.

‘Such a rollercoaster’ - Bredewold's mixed emotions about Vollering crash and Vas win

Breakaway expert Dani Rowe discussed the moment of “huge drama” at the Tour de France Femmes as Demi Vollering appeared to lack for support after crashing and lost the yellow jersey.

Vollering was taken out in a crash along with a bunch of riders with around six kilometres of Stage 5 remaining.

When the yellow jersey did get back on her bike SD Worx-Protime only contributed Mischa Bredewold to help Vollering limit her losses.

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Vollering’s team-mate Blanka Vas was allowed to pursue a stage win, which she delivered, while Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon–SRAM) took the overall race lead.

"It was huge drama on today’s stage, a huge shake-up in the general classification," said Rowe.

“We were questioning where the team were in that instance but I think they had done a lot of work leading into that last five kilometres."

Rowe was asked whether team-mate Lorena Wiebes should have waited for Vollering rather than seemingly trying to contend for victory.

“I think she could have but it’s really hard for the team to make those calls when the race is going so fast and she did have a really big chance of taking the stage if it did come back together,” said Rowe.

“They did say their primary goal was to retain the yellow jersey, for Demi Vollering to take the Tour de France Femmes at the top of Alpe d’Huez. So if that is the case then you would put all of the team back and make sure she limits her losses in that final.

Vas grabs it on the line for SD-Worx after crash drama mars Stage 5 finish

“Why were there not more there?"

Vollering finished one minute and 47 seconds behind Vas and has slipped down to ninth in the GC standings, one minute and 19 seconds behind new yellow jersey Niewiadoma.

Rowe added: “It does change things because she [Vollering] will have to gain time on those riders ahead of her. We also do not know the implications of the crash and how she will recover.

“You get adrenaline when you crash and you get back on the bike but after a night’s sleep you can be stiff and tomorrow when she gets back on the bike she will know the true extent of the damage that has been done, which we hope is limited."

Vas: My radio was not working

Vollering, who looked in pain as she crossed the finish line, was seen talking with Wiebes as she cooled down after the stage.

Vas said she had “mixed feelings” about the stage win due to Vollering’s crash, but that she did not stop as her radio wasn’t working.

“I really did not expect this today because I felt so bad during the race but Lorena said ‘believe in yourself’ and that helped me a lot," Vas said. "I can’t believe it.

Vas with 'mixed feelings' after Stage 5 win amid team-mate Vollering's crash

“My radio was not working so I did not know what happened at the back but Demi crashed so we lost yellow which is a shame. Now I have mixed feelings."

Bredewold added: “Such a rollercoaster because I am really happy for Blanka to win but for Demi it is really s**t. She went full gas and I think she limited the time loss but it’s not nice.

“I stopped, I waited, but I heard so much I did not hear that she had crashed until they said again. It’s part of the Tour but it’s not nice.”

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Tour de France Femmes