Cycling commentator criticizes Vollering, calling her not a cyclist but a power rider: "She struggles with the tactical game"

Demi Vollering received plenty of praise this year, but also her share of criticism, particularly after the World Championships in Zurich, where she was criticized for her lack of tactical savvy. Her season was thoroughly discussed on the Dutch show Kop over Kop, including her recent transfer from Team SD Worx-Protime to the French FDJ-Suez team.

Eurosport commentator Jan Hermsen was cautious about the move. "She’s had a lot of conflicts at SD Worx. I’m not sure how well FDJ will manage that," he said in Eurosport's Kop over Kop podcast. Most recently, there was quite some friction with Lotte Kopecky. Communication had been strained all year, and by the end of the season, the two were barely speaking. "I tried to keep in touch, but it felt one-sided. At a certain point, I thought: that’s it," Vollering had told NRC. Kopecky later responded that it wasn’t necessary to keep stirring these things up at this point.

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Vollering is a power rider, not a cyclist, as she lacks tactical skills

Cycling commentator Bobbie Traksel took the critique further in his analysis. "Vollering is a typical power rider, but not a cyclist. That might sound strange because, in my opinion, she’s the best rider in the world. But when it comes to tactics, that’s when real cycling begins. It’s not just about riding hard. She really struggles with the tactical game. Especially when there’s no guidance from earpieces, then it’s just over," Traksel said, referring to her performance at the World Championships.

Hermsen added that Vollering often panics in difficult situations and is quick to blame others. "She wouldn’t be my favorite teammate. When I see some of her interviews… Athletes can be jerks, but cycling has increasingly become a team sport. You also need to be able to function in a team."

Both commentators agreed that Vollering will face more challenges this season. "She is blocking the way for herself," Hermsen continued. "Because she’s the best, no one wants to ride with her. Normally, she could just break away on her own, but the competition level has risen. Because of that, she’s going to miss out on a lot this season," Traksel concluded.

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