Demi Vollering Eases Neck Pain as Tour de France Femmes Stage 4 Brings Relief

A Resilient Comeback After a Setback

Demi Vollering’s FDJ-SUEZ teammate Elise Chabbey described the challenge ahead on stage 4 of the Tour de France Femmes in Saumar as one where the team would have to "stick together and make it through." That sentiment proved true, as the French team demonstrated remarkable unity and determination.

Despite the difficulties faced by the team, there was no sign of giving up on the overall race. The crash that occurred during stage 3, just 5 kilometers from the finish, had left Vollering with a 19-second gap behind race leader Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike). However, her time remained intact, and the focus shifted to whether she was physically okay.

The team quickly addressed the situation, announcing that Vollering was experiencing knee pain, along with discomfort in her glutes and back. She was also undergoing concussion checks. On Tuesday morning, after passing the second round of tests, it was confirmed that she would continue in the race.

Vollering began with a short session on the trainer, which she described as uncomfortable due to neck pain and the inability to keep her head up. However, this changed as the 130.7km stage to Poitiers unfolded, a route designed for sprinters.

"It's a big relief to feel good," Vollering said after the stage. "That was a good ride. I was able to keep my head up. That was the biggest relief."

The relief was evident at the team bus, where Vollering warmed down on the trainer alongside her teammates. The atmosphere felt close to normal, a stark contrast to the tension and worry from the day before.

Even though the stage was a sprint, Vollering admitted that the sharp bends in the final kilometer caused some tension. She finished in 43rd place, matching the time of the winner, Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime), who took the bunch sprint ahead of Vos.

"Again, no time loss, and now I think the shock is over," Vollering said at the team bus. "From now on, we will see day by day."

This marks the second year that Vollering has had to recover from a crash. In 2024, during stage 5, she fell out of the yellow jersey and faced a 1:19 deficit to eventual winner Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM). While the lack of time loss this year is a positive change, the support from her FDJ-SUEZ squad has been equally crucial.

After yesterday's incident, Vollering was surrounded by her new team members, who rode to the line between Juliette Labous and Elise Chabbey. Both riders had a hand on her back to guide her to the finish. Their presence was visible throughout stage 4, both at the front and around her.

"I mean, my team did a really good job always keeping me safe in the front, so I’m really happy about that," Vollering said.

As the race continues, the focus remains on how Vollering and her team will navigate the upcoming stages. With their strong support system and determination, they are well-positioned to push forward and fight for their goals.