Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) won the 6.3km time trial in Rotterdam by five seconds over Chloe Dygert (Canyon//SRAM), who placed second, and Loes Adegeest (FDJ – SUEZ) who took third.
Vollering was completely surprised by her victory. “I had no idea that I could do this today. I’m really surprised actually. These first days were just days that I needed to survive. I wanted to really enjoy these first days and actually I had the whole time tomorrow already in the head, because tomorrow’s stage I really love.
Taking the yellow jersey wasn’t planned, but Vollering said her team will defend it. “It’s up to the other teams of course to take the jersey from our team now, so it’s nice that I have it but we will see. For sure we will try our best to defend it until the very end but yeah, the plan was to actually take it a little later in the week so I’m surprised to have it now already.”
Teammate Lorena Wiebes hoped for better, but had to settle for seventh place. “I gave it everything. I rode very well in terms of wattages. Demi was still a bit faster. It’s great that she can take over the jersey. Nice and early. For me it’s a bit mixed. I know that the form is good. But it’s great that we’re already having success with the team. Fortunately, there are still opportunities coming up for me in this
Tour de France Femmes.”
Stage 1 and 2 winner Charlotte Kool (dsm-firmenich PostNL) gave it her best but fell short. “I have to say that I felt my legs quite early. I really gave it my all until the finish. I can’t blame myself for anything. For me, these days (2 stage wins and the yellow jersey) could not have gone better. I am very proud.”
