"Demi Vollering prioritizes her health in career decisions, expresses views on rider weight disputes following the Tour de France Femmes"
Demi Vollering, the runner-up in the recently concluded Tour de France Femmes, has made a bold statement about the importance of health over external pressures related to weight in cycling. In a series of posts on Instagram, Vollering expressed her stance, advocating for healthier attitudes towards body image in women’s cycling.
The topic of rider weight has been a contentious issue in the peloton, with Vollering finding herself at the centre of the debate following comments made by her team boss and discussions about weight within the sport. Vollering has responded firmly against stigma and criticism linked to her weight, reinforcing that her health comes first rather than conforming to unhealthy pressures or extremes often associated with professional cycling.
During the final press conference, Vollering received around 80% of the questions about her weight, including queries about potential weight loss and its impact on her performance. Two of the six questions in the conference were specifically about Vollering’s weight and potential weight loss.
Vollering believes that she and her fellow racers have a responsibility to inspire younger generations. She has rejected negative labels such as being a "drama queen" and seeks to set a positive example for young cyclists regarding weight management. Vollering is proud of her weight and encourages respect for riders' health choices.
Vollering's comments about rider weight broke a taboo in cycling by speaking openly about the subject. She emphasized that the biggest priority is to be healthy and that she aims to show girls that they don't have to be extremely thin to succeed in cycling. Losing weight is not the ultimate solution for performance, according to Vollering.
Vollering's stance on rider health and weight is about strength, balance, fueling well, mental strength, and faster recovery. She encourages young riders to take care of themselves, ask questions, and trust their bodies. Vollering also emphasized that she is racing at the top level with a strong, lean, capable body.
In her Instagram posts, Vollering stated that she makes every decision in her career with her health as the top priority. She also wrote that young girls are watching them and that what they see can influence them. Vollering expressed her intention to continue striving for success in her career while maintaining her commitment to health and body positivity.
Cédrine Kerbaol, a cycling commentator, has stated that cycling is in a dangerous moment in terms of rider health and weight. Vollering's comments about rider weight have undoubtedly added a fresh perspective to the ongoing discussion, encouraging a more open and inclusive approach to the topic within the sport.
[1] Source: Cycling News [5] Source: VeloNews
Demi Vollering, in her advocacy for healthier body image in women's cycling, also emphasized the significance of mental health in sports, promoting a holistic approach to health-and-wellness. With the responsibility of inspiring younger generations, Vollering champions science-backed practices for optimal performance, including strength, balance, fueling well, mental strength, and faster recovery, in womens-health and sports.
