Vollering praised for openness about menstruation: "She looks super healthy, not extremely skinny"

After Vollering surprisingly finished third at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, critics were quick to voice their opinions. But she silenced them with an honest reaction. "I fought hard all day, but my hormones were working against me. I am a woman, and we deal with a monthly issue. I suffered the entire race and this was truly the maximum I could achieve. Every part of my body wanted to stop, but I kept fighting all day. In the end, I am actually pretty happy with this," said the FDJ-SUEZ leader afterward.

The top favorite for La Doyenne had finished second at La Flèche Wallonne earlier in the week (behind Puck Pieterse) and was eager to claim her second win of the season in Liège. However, her only victory so far remains Strade Bianche earlier this year. According to Floortje Mackaij, the fact that Vollering’s body responded the way it did on Sunday is something to be positive about. "I myself have not had my period for years," said the Movistar rider.

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In the podcast La Course de Gossip, Floortje Mackaij and her good friend and former teammate Emma Norsgaard (now riding for Lidl-Trek) spoke openly about menstruation. "We received a lot of reactions. I do not see it as a taboo, but it made me realize we need to talk about it more and really give this topic more attention in the podcast," Mackaij said. She added honestly, "I can still have children, but my eggs are not being nourished properly because of too little food, stress, and mental pressure."

Nature plays a major role in a woman’s life, and that is no different for elite athletes. Mackaij believes Vollering’s period during Liège-Bastogne-Liège is a positive sign. "You can really see Demi as a great example. She looks super healthy, not extremely skinny." The Movistar rider admits she personally struggles more with her weight. "It is a fine line, always a sensitive topic. I want to try to eat normally again and not feel the need to lose weight anymore. I hope that will help me get my period back soon."