Demi Vollering not heading to UAE Team ADQ or Lidl-Trek

GCN has learned that Demi Vollering will not sign for either UAE Team ADQ or Lidl-Trek this year, with the Dutch rider out of contract for next season. Both teams had been linked to the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift winner after GCN broke the news in March that she would not extend her contract with SD Worx-Protime.

Vollering had previously been linked to UAE Team ADQ with a reported offer of €1 million per year on the table. However, GCN has been informed that such a move will not take place. Lidl-Trek were also in discussions with the 27-year-old but informed our website last week that talks had not progressed. The American team expect both Elisa Longo Borghini and Lizzie Deignan to extend their contracts in the coming months.

Vollering’s options may appear limited but it’s also highly plausible that she has already agreed terms with a team for next year. At the end of March, Movistar boss Sebastián Unzué told GCN that there had been no contract between his team and Vollering’s agent, while Visma-Lease a Bike also hinted that their transfer targets were focused on younger riders. The situations at both Movistar and Visma could have changed over the last few weeks but one constant presence when discussing possible squads has been FDJ-SUEZ.

The French team told GCN on the morning of the Tour of Flanders that both FDJ and SUEZ were on the cusp of signing new sponsorship deals with the team until the end of 2028. 

“We’re just working on the details now but I have all the confidence of my two partners and that’s really good for planning,” team boss Stephen Delcourt told GCN.

“Many riders call me but at the moment there’s nothing. For the next three weeks maybe it’s busy but maybe nobody moves. My priorities are in the present though.”

The team has Grace Brown, Marta Cavalli, and Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig out of contract at the end of the season. Brown is said to be considering her future after the Olympic Games in Paris, while Uttrup Ludwig is coming back from injury.

The French team has a solid structure and has built steadily over the last few years with a platform of developing young riders and sustaining the ambitions of major stars. They’re seen as one of the best-run teams in the women’s WorldTour.

Delcourt told GCN that he wanted Uttrup Ludwig to stay.

“We want that, I think she wants that,” he said.

When asked if Vollering was coming to the team, the French team boss laughed: “How’s that possible? We’re not Dutch, and with Lapierre [bikes]. Do you think it’s possible? Maybe we can start the negotiations tomorrow…

“I don’t know but every team wants a Demi, every team wants a Juliette Labous, everyone wants an Elisa Longo Borghini. The market is really crazy but our priority is to carry on with our team like this and if I feel that Cecile or Marta will leave, I’m not stupid but right now we’re all pushing our cards into the table. Every team talks to Demi but in my opinion it needs time. The rumour is UAE, no? I think she has the chance to sign where she wants.”

Delcourt did confirm that his team were looking at Giro podium finisher Juliette Labous, who is out of contract with dsm-firmenich PostNL at the end of this year. The French rider will not decide her future until the Vuelta Femenina in May.

“If she’s already signed for another team then maybe I’m stupid. Juliet could be a priority, that’s normal. She’s French, she’s one of the only riders who can expect to win the Tour de France, and she made a step last year at the Giro with second overall. It could be really natural if we arrive, but if I’m dsm I extend now.”

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