When Demi Vollering (FDJ United-SUEZ) crossed the line first on the shortened queen stage of the Giro d'Italia Women it was disappointment and not celebration that was written all over her face as the real goal of the day was the maglia rosa, at that point still sitting squarely on the shoulders of Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime).
The stage was, in theory, meant to be the last chance to really make the difference in the GC battle, but there was still 49 seconds and one stage that stood between Vollering and a complete set of Grand Tour victories so, once the initial fog of dismay lifted, the rider and her team started looking at things from a different perspective.
"At this moment it really felt like we had nothing to lose anymore and that was a really good feeling also," Vollering said in an interview on the Going Mental podcast.
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The rider who had come in as the clear-cut favourite wasn't going to close the door on a victory that, to most, may have already seemed out of reach.
"Sometimes it seems like the more hard things get, the more fun I find it," said Vollering. "If something seems impossible then something inside me starts boiling and is, like, 'but what if it works out'? 'What if it can happen?'
"So I think this kind of feeling really started to come up after the Saturday [stage 8]. So I think also that morning there was just such a weird calmness over me. I really didn't feel like I was going to lose the Giro, I was more focussed on 'but what if I can make it happen?' That would be a crazy story and I would be so proud of myself to make it happen, so I was more focussed on still what was possible, instead of what was not possible."
'It took some guts'
Still possible, but not without a potential price as to chase first also brought with it the risk of losing second, particularly with a strong Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon/SRAM) just 31 seconds on the overall behind Vollering. In fact it could even mean missing out on the podium entirely, as to make the difference on the stage to and from Saluzzo, moves would have to be made early to isolate Van der Breggen. Vollering's attack came at more than 90km to go, which also meant risking big time losses should things not run to plan.
That became clear when out of the group of favourites that formed following the attack, some flew off the front, including Niedermaier, and all of a sudden as the gap stretched it wasn't just Vollering that found her position at threat, but also Van der Breggen as Niedermaier was in virtual pink on the road. That's because Vollering wasn't prepared to let Van der Breggen sit on while she chased, ready to let second slip rather than a chance at the top step.
"I've had already so many beautiful podium spots, but in the end it's only the win that really counts for me so I wanted to take that risk to be able to win it," Vollering, who has regularly spoken about the importance of the mental side of racing, said on the Going Mental podcast. "It took some guts, of course, but I'm really happy that it went like that."
That's because with Van der Breggen ultimately having to work and expend the energy to try and reel back in the virtual pink from Niedermaier, Vollering now found her chance to clinch it. She dropped Van der Breggen and rode across to the front group, which was just what she needed to do to take the maglia rosa, right when it counted, from the fiercest of rivals.
A familiar foe
The SD Worx-Protime rider not only had strength and experience but also has a unique history with Vollering. In fact, it would be hard to find two riders that know each other so well, with Van der Breggen having once been coach to Vollering.
"I know Anna, of course, very well. I know how she trained, how she used to train me, so it's very interesting and also I learned so much from her," said Vollering.
Though the coach relationship is well in the past, the new relationship of on-road rivals is now pushing her to learn even more.
"It's really strange to be again battling each other but it makes it even more interesting because also she [brings] the best out of me," said Vollering. "I need to keep improving to beat her because otherwise it's not possible because she knows me so well."
The battle is clearly far from over as, while it played out in Vollering's favour when it comes to the Giro d'Italia, there is an even bigger goal ahead where the two are once again high on the favourites list, the Tour de France Femmes starting August 1.
"It is just an amazing event and I just really love the challenge of overcoming every day and to fight every day again for the yellow jersey," said Vollering, "It's something I really enjoy and I just want to win it again."
