Demi Vollering en Silvia Persico vechten duel om het zilver uit #wkgravel #veneto #vollering #persico #gravelworldchampionships
Vollering choked to death and views gravel World Cup as one of the toughest races ever: "Also problems with nutrition"
CyclingSunday, 08 October 2023 at 13:05
At the World Gravel Championships held in Veneto, Demi Vollering was the undisputed favorite among the elite women. The 26-year-old Dutch rider appeared to be a strong contender for victory throughout the race but ultimately couldn't respond to a blistering acceleration by the eventual winner, Kasia Niewiadoma. After completing the challenging 140-kilometer gravel race through the prosecco region, Vollering, who ultimately secured the bronze medal, addressed several important questions during the post-race press conference.
The opening question to the winner of the Tour de France Femmes was, "Were you able to enjoy the beautiful scenery a bit as well?" In response, Vollering momentarily hesitated, allowing a meaningful pause before she began her analysis. She stated, "It was incredibly tough. Did I have a chance to enjoy the beautiful surroundings? I did during the reconnaissance, but not during the actual race. At one point, I was struggling so much that I felt like I was almost dozing off. I even considered the possibility of staying put if I fell because I was so exhausted. That's how challenging it was. Shortly after, when I checked how much distance we still had to cover, I was taken aback. We still had forty kilometers to go." She vividly described the surreal nature of the championship.
"I also encountered issues with my nutrition, which made the race even more demanding," she continued. "Furthermore, the Italian riders put immense pressure on me right from the start. In summary, it was an arduous battle for survival, and I am utterly drained. I believe the same holds true for the other participants. And then came that incredibly tough finale. On the final steep climb, Kasia made a decisive move. Unfortunately, I couldn't match her pace. Thankfully, Silvia Perisco was still with me, and we worked together. However, we never saw Kasia again."
Vollering had to acknowledge her superiority to Persico in the "sprint" for silver
Somebody of Vollering's caliber has completed countless challenging races in her career as a matter of course. However, she places the gravel race in northeastern Italy at the very top of her list of demanding races. 'Gravel races are incomparable to other types of races, not even the toughest road races. It's truly something unique. I had plenty of time to think on the course, and I realized that I've never encountered a road race as grueling as this world championship. The gravel terrain makes it exceptionally tough. You have to maintain even more focus than usual, and the corners pose an even greater danger than in the peloton.
When Niewiadoma established a significant lead, Vollering prepared herself for a battle for the silver medal. Her rival? Silvia Persico. The 'duel' ultimately culminated in a two-person sprint, which the home rider, Persico, won. It didn't really feel like a typical sprint, even though it might have appeared that way. Both Silvia and I were exhausted. When we realized we wouldn't catch up to Kasia, we decided to give it our all and race to the finish line to determine who would claim second place. I couldn't outpace Silvia either. She deserves the second spot," Vollering said sympathetically.
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Latest Comments
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024