After having achieved a huge coup by recruiting one of the best runners in the world, the Dutch Demi Volleringthe manager of the French team FDJ-SUEZ, Stephen Delcourtgave an interview to our colleagues from Bike where he returns in particular to this historic transfer for French Cycling. “It was a big day for French cycling in general, as it was the first time in the modern era of cycling that a Tour de France winner signed for a French team.“With his new team, Demi Vollering will try to win the Tour de France Women with Zwiftafter winning in 2023 but failing for just 4 seconds against the Polish woman Katarzyna Niewiadoma.
Video – Stephen Delcourt at the microphone of Cyclism'Actu
“Demi Vollering is the best rider overall, without a doubt.”
“We have big ambitions and we are very excited for the future. After 19 seasons, we are constantly improving to gradually become one of the best teams. A year ago, I would never have imagined having Demi, but we started talking in the spring and a month later it was finalized. We had a good conversation about what she wanted and expected, about her dreams, and when we compared and shared our values, our history. and our vision for the future, we were naturally very motivated to sign her Demi Vollering is the best rider overall, without a doubt She lost the Tour de France this year, but we have to remember that. atmosphere and context – SD Worx knew there was no agreement [pour qu’elle reste].
The year was complicated for her, but if we analyze the situation we see that she won the Vuelta, all the other Spanish stage races and, although falls are part of cycling, for me she was the best in the Tour de France. We want to be able to win all three grand tours over the next four or five years and also win the classics. The signing of Demi Vollering is a big step in that direction. It is certain that we are, on paper, one of the best teams, but it is on the road that we will have the best answer. We will have an idea of our ranking after the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and the Strade Bianche. But the main objective is of course the Tour de France and the Vuelta,” concludes Stephen Delcourt.
