"Astonishment Prevails" - Demi Vollering's Crash Prompts Concern and Frustration Among Team During Tour de France Femmes
Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift: Demi Vollering Suffers Crash in Stage Three
Demi Vollering, a cyclist for FDJ-SUEZ, endured a crash during the third stage of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. The incident, which occurred approximately 4km before the finish line, left Vollering with multiple contusions, including pain in her knees, glutes, and back.
According to Stephen Delcourt, FDJ-SUEZ's team manager, Vollering was pushed to the finish line by her teammates after initially sitting down in pain on the road. Despite the visible pain and a ripped skin suit, Vollering was cleared of concussion after undergoing a concussion protocol, allowing her to start Stage Four.
The crash took place on a narrowing road section, involving multiple riders in a pile-up. Delcourt expressed concern about the cause of the crash, without singling out any specific teams or riders. He emphasized that rider health is a priority and criticized the dangerous racing conditions, likening them to "playing with people's lives."
Delcourt also expressed frustration and concern over the level of respect and safety within the peloton. He lamented the risks riders are exposed to in such chaotic moments, highlighting the need for teams and riders to respect the motos for the safety of the riders.
Following the stage, the mood at the FDJ-SUEZ team bus was somber. Vollering, despite her injuries, chose to ride her bike back to her hotel after speaking with her team. Her team, however, expressed a need for time to assess her injuries and conduct further examinations before making a decision about her continued participation in the race.
Vollering's previous injury history includes a fracture in the same area of her back during a race last year. Despite this, her decision to ride her bike back to her hotel indicates a sense of optimism about her continued participation in the race.
In summary, Vollering has multiple contusions with pain but no concussion, allowing her to continue racing under medical supervision. The crash was caused by narrowed road conditions and multiple wheel touches near the finish. There are serious safety and respect concerns raised by team management about the peloton's conduct and race course conditions, highlighting the risk to riders’ well-being. The FDJ-SUEZ team will continue to monitor Vollering's condition and make a decision about her participation in the race based on her health and the team's assessment.
[1] Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Official Website [2] Cycling News [3] Velonews [4] Cycling Weekly
[1] "Despite the crash, sports competitors like Demi Vollering display immense resilience, pushing through the pain to continue participating."
[2] "The dangerous racing conditions raised concerns in the peloton, as sports safety and respect for rules are crucial for the well-being of the athletes."
