Team SD Worx confirmed its dominance this week with an eighth victory of the season in Dwars door Vlaanderen. The Dutch World Tour team controlled the entire race, with Demi Vollering going solo just under 10 kilometres from the finish line. Just back from an altitude training camp with Marlen Reusser in the Sierra Nevada, the 26-year-old Dutch rider was on fine form to ride to her second win of the season. “We are in the winning vibe,” she said after the glorious victory. “This gives a lot of confidence for the Tour of Flanders.”
Team SD Worx opened Dwars door Vlaanderen by lighting up the race on the Kanarieberg with Marlen Reusser 65 kilometres from the end. After the Hotond, Reusser tried again and rode with Marianne Vos towards the head of the race. Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, Francesca Barale and Victoire Berteau were eventually dropped by the duo on the Doorn cobbles. At 17 kilometres from the finish, Reusser and Vos were caught. Some 7 kilometres later, Demi Vollering placed a well-aimed attack, after which she steamed solo towards Waregem to secure the impressive eighth win of the season for Team SD Worx.
“This team is so strong. I only had to control today. That way I could save myself. I felt very good and looked for the right moment to attack. It’s nice to win so close to the Tour of Flanders. You always keep that feeling for a while. We are in the winning spirit with the team. With us, it doesn’t matter who wins, as long as the team wins.”
“That team atmosphere is the secret of Team SD Worx’s success,” she continued. “The foundations were laid during our bike packing camp together with our sponsor Specialized in the United States. We know each other very well and go through fire for each other. We know that sooner or later we always get it back. With Team SD Worx, we can play the team game perfectly. We are therefore heading to the Tour of Flanders with a lot of confidence.”
“I have grown as a rider. Last year, I thought too much during races. I wanted to think one step ahead too often. Now I ride liberated. I understand the course tactically better and I race more in the moment. As a result, I have become stronger. In the Tour of Flanders we will again be able to play several cards,” Demi concluded.
