Evolution of a powerhouse: FDJ United-Suez is more than just Demi Vollering

There was a point in Saturday’s Strade Bianche Donne, with just under 40 km to go, when it all looked to be falling apart for FDJ United-Suez.

The team’s talismanic leader, Demi Vollering – the pre-race favourite – had just suffered a mechanical on the Le Tolfe gravel sector and been ejected from the lead group. Until then, everything had been going exactly to plan.

Of the 24 riders up front, FDJ United-Suez had had five – easily the most of any team. And when Elise Chabbey got away with a touch under 50 km to go, dragging UAE Team ADQ’s Dominika Włodarczyk with her, the pressure was off Chabbey’s teammates in the group behind.

But when the dust settled after Le Tolfe, it was a different story. Vollering was gone, Chabbey’s break was about to be caught, and of the 13 riders still in contention, FDJ United-Suez only had two: Chabbey and Franzi Koch. Given the ferocity of Chabbey’s earlier attack, it seemed unlikely the Swiss aggressor would play any meaningful role in the difficult final kilometres. The French team was on the back foot.

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