Demi Vollering's arrival at FDJ United-SUEZ in 2025 may have curtailed the opportunity for her one-time rival Juliette Berthet to purse the yellow jersey for herself but, as she walks into her fifth edition of the Tour de France Femmes as a key domestique, the French rider has characterised the dynamic as one that has lifted her to new heights rather than held her back.
In fact, even after an early crash and riding in a support of an injured Vollering, Berthet (née Labous) managed to finish seventh overall in 2025 and was second on stage 6 to Ambert. And while Labous admits she was concerned when she first heard Vollering was joining the team, there was one phrase uttered by team manager Stephen Delcourt that made all the difference: "It's better to have her with us than against us."
"That really was a turning point for me," said Berthet in a Tour de France Femmes spotlight article. "Either way, if she’s stronger, I might as well try to understand how she works. I told myself she would push me to become a better rider. And that’s exactly what happened.
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"If you look at my results, my best performances have come when I’ve been racing with Demi. I’d also like to perform at my best when she’s not there, but the fact is that she pushes me to another level, and I think we’ll build on that even more in the future."
There is no question, however, that the focus for the team and Berthet in August will be to once again form a united front in pursuit of yellow with Vollering, who not only won in 2023 but has finished second in every other edition.
"With her, there’s never any doubt," said Berthet.
Plus, this time Vollering is entering the race fresh from a Giro d'Italia victory, which had seemed almost impossible before a final audacious day and highlighted more than just her powerful form.
"Mentally, on the final stage, she was incredible to turn everything around," said Berthet. "A lot can happen during the Tour, but it’s always a good thing to arrive with momentum on your side."
What that does, however, is sharpen the focus on the team and rider. Vollering may not be lining up as defending champion but couldn't be more carefully watched by her rivals even if she was, so the entire team will have to be ready to defend as competitors try to chip away to expose a weakness.
Currently, Vollering and her expected Tour teammates are training at altitude ahead of the summer's big goal.
"There’s pressure, but that’s also why we ride bikes and push ourselves in training every single day – to experience moments like these. When things get tough, we think about the Tour and tell ourselves that all the hard work will pay off," said Berthet.
"It’s not unrealistic to aim for the yellow jersey with Demi, because she’s already won the Tour de France. It’s realistic and incredibly motivating."
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