Emotional Vollering after Olympic time trial: 'That might hurt more later'

Fifth. Just twenty seconds from second place Anna Henderson of Great Britain and nineteen from number three Chloé Dygert. That was it for Demi Vollering in the Olympic time trial, in which she did not know exactly what exactly to think or feel afterwards now. "Best time trial ever, but maybe started dreaming anyway.

With Han Kock and Annemiek van Vleuten of the NOS Vollering gave her account. 'I rode with my heart. I gave everything and actually I am very satisfied with my performance, because I rode really good wattages," said the winner of last year's Tour de France Femmes.

'It was maybe my best time trial ever, also because it's flat. It's a power course, but also the corners were slippery,' indicated Vollering, who saw numerous competitors go to ground. Among others, teammate Lotte Kopecky and number three Dygert unintentionally saw the asphalt from up close.

'Maybe I left it there. I rode through some corners really square,' she analyzed her own time trial afterwards. 'It was in my head because I made a few slips with my rear wheel. Maybe I was a little too careful and hesitated too much. But I rode to my ability.'

At the final conclusions, emotions surfaced for the strong Dutchman. 'I'm not far behind and then this is still a bummer. This might hurt more later,' she said with tears in her eyes.

'It was very special to ride here. I notice that I am emotional under it. Maybe I started dreaming of a podium finish after all. It's a shame, but all in all I am still proud,' Vollering stated fully justified after the Olympic time trial.