Vollering clears head in Switzerland and won't compete in World Championships, Van der Poel and other top riders present

Demi Vollering will not be at the World Championship gravel in Leuven next weekend. Last year's number three remains in her hometown in Switzerland, where she stated via social channels that she is looking for "distraction" after a disastrous World Championships. In a press release, the KNWU confirmed a list of gravel and road toppers for the World Championships.

Among others, Mathieu van der Poel, Marianne Vos, and Puck Pieterse were already confirmed for a wildcard by World Championship gravel director Laurens ten Dam. On top of that, there are many strong road racers, especially in the women. Riejanne Markus, Shirin van Anrooij, and Mischa Bredewold are three names from the long list of wildcards.

On the list of qualified riders, Ten Dam himself, Thijs Zonneveld, Niki Terpstra, and Johnny Hoogerland were among the men. Among the ladies, we will also see Lorena Wiebes, Fem van Empel, and Lucinda Brand at work this weekend.

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Vollering chooses mountain ride with family

Of the World Championship selection for the road race, only Vollering is a small name at the World Championship gravel. "I was able to think a lot on the road, and I realized that I have never ridden a road race that was as tough as this world championship," she said just last year after finishing third on her debut at the World Gravel Championship.

This year, of course, the situation is very different. Vollering had to endure a lot of criticism after the World Championships, in which she finished fifth herself, but was blamed for a lack of team spirit. Journalist Thijs Zonneveld especially took a hard look at the number two of the past Tour de France Femmes. "What Vollering has done, what SD Worx has done, I call it scandalous. They'll burst into tears if Markus and Vos watch this race back. I think they robbed Markus and Vos of a chance at the world title," it sounded, among other things.

Therefore, we saw Vollering on her bike in Switzerland on Monday with her boyfriend and sister. "Looking for a distraction," she wrote tellingly.

The calendar for the new cyclo-cross season is now online! Check it out here. Or check out our general calendars for the remainder of the season for the men and women's races.