Tom Dumoulin says Demi Vollering is reaching Pogačar-like dominance

Demi Vollering, together with FDJ-SUEZ, is well on her way to establishing a dominant position in the cycling peloton. The 29-year-old Dutchwoman has been amongst the world's elite for years, but at an SD Worx-Protime squad packed with stars, she didn't always get the time and space required. How different things are at her current team is evident in her spring results, not to mention the huge smile she is racing with this year. IDL Pro Cycling spoke to those closest to the Dutch superstar to understand more about the transformation.

Vollering made the move from SD Worx to FDJ ahead of 2025, but in her first year, she and her team were not yet as dominant as they are now. Following Vollering's victory in the Tour of Flanders, Tom Dumoulin called it "the Pogacar tactic" on the NOS Wielerpodcast. "Throwing the cat among the pigeons yourself and not waiting for others to attack and then having to react."

According to Dumoulin, this is the most significant development within the Vollering camp compared to her years at SD Worx and even her first year at FDJ. "In De Ronde, Demi really put her team at the front in Pogacar-style and they tore everything apart, leaving others happy just to still be in the group. On the Kwaremont, Vollering eventually let her demons loose."

This is crucially different from the Vollering of recent years. "Last year, they still raced very reactively at FDJ. In the deep finale, Vollering would get caught in a pincer movement by rivals who exploited her will to win and her fear of losing. Vollering often closed every gap, leaving her too tired to make the difference. Now they take the initiative and she truly is the strongest."

"There is no one who can ride up the Kwaremont as hard as Vollering did. Put her at the foot of it fresh and she always wins. In the past, she often had to fire her shots much earlier," Dumoulin added. Vollering herself responded: "Last year we also made a plan that we thought was the right one, but sometimes you find out afterwards that it wasn't perfect. That’s how you learn more every year."

The same sentiment has been echoed by Vollering's teammates in recent weeks. Elise Chabbey also indicated that the whole team has made a step forward. "We have confidence in Demi and know that if we make it a very hard race, that is good for her. The whole team is committed to her, but particularly the fact that we now make every climb hard is different from previous years."

"Demi naturally had to learn to trust her teammates, because when we work together, we are stronger," said the Swiss rider, who won Strade Bianche this year. It’s not just the leader's legs that are better. "We really go for her; she has to believe in that. When you have the strongest rider in the team, you have to go for it. That motivates us enormously as well."

And it's not just Vollering. Her teammates also seem to be flying this year. "Demi is a great rider, but also a fantastic person. It’s nice to have her around. In the past, she often had to chase in the Tour of Flanders, so we made sure that didn't have to happen now," said Franziska Koch, who in turn won Paris-Roubaix.

Performances are delivered even without Vollering, but when the European champion is present, everyone goes the extra mile. "We have a good time together and, above all, we have one goal. That makes everyone really go through fire for each other. Demi is a very good leader in that regard. She is very accommodating and very grateful for the work we do," said Amber Kraak.

Vollering's Dutch domestique has also done great work at her new team. "When you know your leader can actually win, you can often go a bit further. In De Ronde, I knew my lead-out towards the Koppenberg was very important, for example, so you really tell yourself that it has to happen. Then you can go just that bit harder."

"I do think we are seeing a new level from Demi this year, yes. And in my eyes, there is still some margin; it can get a tiny bit better," Jan de Voogd agreed when asked. Vollering’s partner naturally knows best what is good for his loved one. "I’ve known Demi for ten years now and I am obviously very subjective, haha. I find her a very special woman, let me put that first."

Yet Jan must notice at home that Vollering is feeling just that bit better in her own skin, surely? "When the whole team radiates calmness and vision — and I’m talking about teammates, staff, management, partners and everything and everyone involved — and you ensure that you listen to one another, then something special is created. That is what we are seeing now."

Praise for the team in general. "At FDJ, they are doing very well. If you all go full gas for Demi or another top rider and you really see her as plan A, then she is always there to finish it off. That is quite special. She possesses certain leadership qualities, so if you put her in an environment like they are doing now, she delivers. Those girls really go through fire for one another."

So, Vollering is settled, has improved, saw her teammates grow with her, and the team's overall plan was adjusted compared to 2025. Finally, we spoke with coach Lieselot Decroix, who had to devise it all when Vollering joined the team in late 2024 and was named the new leader. That process involved trial and error.

How did Decroix and Vollering set the main goals for 2026? "We wanted a slightly different approach to the Tour, with a bit more rest and altitude camps and slightly less racing. You don't want that feeling of being rushed from pillar to post again. We had good conversations about that. There isn't one single 'best' route, but it has to be a route you believe in."

Because, as Decroix confirmed: at FDJ, they learned from 2025, in which Vollering started well but wasn't at her peak in the Tour. "Demi needs to be home a bit more and have rest. We have to plan when she needs to be in top form, but especially plan when the pressure can be taken off for a while. We know that Demi can perform immediately after a good block of training; she doesn't necessarily need a lot of races."

According to Decroix, Vollering earned the leadership role herself. "I think we have noticed above all how important it is to get to know each other well. You do everything for that in a new team, but it also just takes time. You have to spend time together, also off the bike. The team grew during 2025; you saw that the girls better understood what Demi wanted and how she communicated that."

Will we see anything else different from Vollering, besides a different schedule and simply more familiarity? No. She will always remain the same at her core, Decroix knows. "The basis remains that you do what you know, but if you do the same thing every year, you get the same result. So, we can never stand still."

"Alongside the planning, you change some other things, but you also keep the rider's opinion in mind and what does work. Demi’s base is very large, so she needs to put in the hours. She is always fit and won't change much physically. Sometimes a kilo might come off, but she is the textbook example of a healthy and strong athlete. That is what we want to hold on to."